Always Ready

Saturday, October 12, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

1 Peter 3:14–16

For many years the United States Army has had an elite team of parachuters known as the Golden Knights. They travel to air shows and exhibitions, putting on a display of skill and courage as they jump together, entertaining millions. Every member of the team is a highly trained expert. They have the latest equipment, and they practice again and again. But in 1973 when the team was on a trip to Kansas for an air show, a plane crash killed all fourteen people on board. They were experts at parachuting, but they weren’t wearing their parachutes on that flight because they didn’t expect to need them.

There are opportunities presented to each of us to make a difference for God’s kingdom. We have opportunities to witness, to comfort, to exhort and to help. Yet if we are not prepared, if we are not ready, we will miss those opportunities. We know that these opportunities are coming because we know they are part of God’s purpose for our lives. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Yet too often we do not take advantage of them because we haven’t put on our parachutes. We are not prepared. And that is a tragedy both for us, and for the people on whose lives we should be making a positive impact.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Any day you are unprepared is a day you will miss an opportunity to do something for God.