The Season of Preparation -

Have you ever jumped full force into something without taking the time to properly prepare for it? If you have, chances are a humbling experience may have been the outcome. Sometimes we see the end goal and that can consume us, instead of the daily habits that help us obtain it. It can be uncomfortable to not be as far along as we would like in certain areas of life. But what if we changed our perspective and looked at this as a season of preparation?

WHEN IS THE 90 Minute break?

A few weeks ago I invited my papa to take a walk with me. He is trying to get back in shape and taking walks is one of my favorite things to do- SO I was happy he agreed to come. Now if you know my papa, you know two things: 1) He would say he’s animated (I would say dramatic) with his reactions and facial expressions to things and 2) He hates working out. In fact, he often says lifting his hand to his mouth (eating), is a form of exercise. Anyways, let’s get to the point of this story.😂

I took him to one of my favorite places to walk and wanted to point out some of my favorite homes to him, which meant we would be taking the long route (he was unaware of this). There are small hills throughout the walk and we were about ten minutes into our walk when my papa started bending over out of breath, saying his bald spot was burning, also saying I was trying to kill him, then asking me when we were going to take a 90 minute break. Do you remember when I pointed out the dramatic aspect?

Shouldn’t I BUild Up Endurance?

As we continued walking, we would stop and take breaks, but I was determined to seem him finish this 2 mile walk! When we arrived at the intersection that could either take us back towards the car or the longer way to see my favorite houses. You can guess which way I lured him to go and about half way down that path he says to me, “Emi, don’t you think I should build up endurance for this long of a walk?”

He was right, I was so excited to see him speed walk two miles with me, that I ignored a few things; He is slightly older than me (just a little😅), and he hasn’t worked out in a long time. This is not his season of speed walking 2 miles with me. Even if it will be brief, this is his season of preparation.

The Season Of Tending to the sheep 🐑

The story of David and Goliath has always intrigued me. Of course his bravery and courage inspires me, but it was really his faith in God that captured my attention. His older brothers joined the army to fight the Philistines, while David (the youngest), helped his father with the sheep. Goliath (the 9 foot giant), would taunt the Israelites challenging one man to fight him. No one was up to the task, accept David.

David was running food out to his brothers when he heard Goliath taunting them. When his brother heard he was willing to go and fight Goliath, he shot him down saying,

“What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle.”
1 Samuel 17:28

Then King Saul heard David was willing to fight Goliath and said,

“Don’t be ridiculous! There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy and he’s been a man of war since youth.”
1 Samuel 17: 33

You can already see where everyone is doubting David, but his response not only showcases his positive outlook on his current job, but the strong trust and faith he has in God.

“I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats. When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”
1 Samuel 17:34-37

Season of Preparation

The Lord was prepping David all along, while he was tending the sheep. He had to fight off lions and bears that could tear him to shreds and God protected him. So of course when the giant, Goliath, wanted a fight he knew God would protect him. I admire the faith and trust he had in God. He refused to listen to the opinions of others because he knew where his strength was coming from.

The little work to others is God’s big preparation for the calling. God had David tending those sheep for a season of his life for a reason. David would eventually become a king.

Friends, the season you are in may be uncomfortable, but it is not a waste. Trust the one instructing the process. God wants what’s best for us and our character, not what feels comfortable. He also loves us too much to give us something prematurely. And unlike me, God is not going to make you speed walk 2 miles on your first day of exercising. Look at this season as preparation for what’s to come.