Ready At A Moment’s Notice

Life gets crazy, right? We are constantly busy doing something. Even when we are doing nothing, we find ways of being busy. Often times we just waste time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, video games, TV, movies, etc. Do you ever find it difficult to transition from mode to the next? Like going from vegging on the couch watching football to going outside to mow the yard? Or from playing C.O.D. to doing homework?

I intentionally ordered it that way, because most of us find it easy to transition away from the chore, work or study to the play. I, for one, take my time transitioning often dragging my feet not wanting to stop being lazy. But once I finally make the transition I’m good to go.

However there are times when we don’t have the luxury of transitioning and we need to be ready. There are many whose choose vocations where they maybe called into action at a moment’s notice and must be ready. Can you think of any who have this call?

Trained and Prepared

Today is Veteran’s Day and I’d like to thank all of the Veterans who served and are serving our nation for our protection. A soldier has to be ready at a moment’s notice. They are trained and prepared to be called into action without even thinking about it.

Police, firefighters, doctors and so many others spend years training and preparing to be ready when needed. The schooling they received, the obstacle courses they had to run, the repetitive challenges they had to master were all to prepare them for that moment when they maybe called.

This is the type of person you want in a crisis. You don’t want someone questioning themselves, confused or disoriented. You want someone who is ready and knowledgeable who can execute a prepared plan of action.

What are you trained and prepared in?

Passionate and Ready

There is another type of person who is ready at a moment’s notice. This isn’t to say the trained and prepared are not passionate about what they do, this is to say that sometimes something comes up that you are passionate about that you would drop what you are doing to get involved.

For me, you say, “let’s go golfing” and I am ready to go. I have my clubs in my car and I’m itching to play. Why? Because I love golf.

When I know someone is passionate about something, whether it is golf, history, business, etc. I know I can call on them for help when I need them. If I have an American History question, I know I can ask my brother, a history teacher, and he always has an answer ready. But he doesn’t just know the quick answer, he has the story behind the answer and it’s exciting to hear about it.

What are you passionate about?

The Limitations of Passion

Being passionate and ready isn’t always enough. You may be willing to engage the opportunity because you are passionate, but without the proper training and preparation the opportunity may be beyond your ability. Like if I got a call to play golf in a PGA tournament this weekend. A. I love golf. B. My training and preparedness would not even get me a qualification. No, I would have to dedicate my time to be coached and trained for years to get to that point.

Passion often times begins the conversation, but it can also reveal the need for further training.

Passionate and Prepared

In Acts 8:29-40 we encounter Philip, a deacon in the early church. Philip demonstrates for us someone who is both passionate and prepared to fulfill God’s call on his life.

Ears to Hear

Philip was attentive to the Lord’s call. We see he heard the direction of what to do and where to go from an angel of the Lord. You and I may never encounter an angel of the Lord, but God has given us the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us. However we are often too distracted to hear his voice. We haven’t cultivated ears to hear. We constantly have our ear buds in, the music playing, the youtube video running, etc. The noise is too great.

That’s why God commands us to “be still and know that I am God.” We need daily time in God’s Word and prayer to hear God’s direction.

God told Philip to head south and he went.

Eyes to See

Philip saw an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the Word of God. He saw an opportunity to interact with this man about his faith.

We are to caught up in our own activities that we don’t see the people around us questioning life. We don’t hear of their needs.

Philip did and he approached him.

Mouth to Speak

“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. What a great way to start a conversation. He engaged the man and asked if he wanted help.

We often times get it wrong thinking we have to have the most eloquent statements or the most technical answers. Yet all we need to do is ask a question. We do not want to force our belief and view on anyone. Asking a question is how we can determine if they want to hear more. Asking questions is a great way to begin a spiritual conversation.

A Prepared Mind

He began where he was and began to share the Good News with the eunuch. Philip new the Gospel, he knew God’s Word and he knew how to communicate it with others. He was prepared.

The result was the eunuch accepted Christ and was baptized! You never know who is ready to follow Jesus until you hear God’s direction, see people’s needs and ask the right questions.

More then a Story

What we learn from Philip is that the Gospel needs to be more then a story in our lives. It has to be more then a Sunday School or youth group answer. It needs to be a passion. It has to start on the inside and work it’s way out.

Are you passionate about the Gospel? Have you repented from your sins and known the forgiveness of our Lord? If you have, then you have to be passionate about the Gospel.

Are you prepared to share the Gospel? What would you say to someone if they asked, “why are you a Christian”? How can you be prepared if you don’t practice, if you are not trained?

The reason we go through the G.O.S.P.E.L. every week in youth group is to remind us of the Biblical truths. The reason we talked through our stories is so that we have a springboard to share with others. If we are passionate and prepared, we too can be like Philip who led others to Jesus!

Are you passionate and prepared to share your faith?