In “Scouting for Boys,” Boy Scout’s founder Baden-Powell wrote that their motto, “Be Prepared,” means that “you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”  (Source: Scouting Magazine, May 8, 2017)

As part of the Armor of God in Ephesians 6 we read in verse 15, “… and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”

The word “readiness” means “the act of preparing.” Like the Boy Scouts, we are to be prepared for action ready at a moment’s notice to follow our Lord’s command to do our duty. 

There are many Biblical references to being prepared. (Matthew 22:4, 8; 24:44; 25:10; Luke 12:35, 38; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 3:15).  

In Joshua 1:2 our Lord told Joshua and all the people to “get ready” for in three days they would be crossing the Jordan. God expects us to always be ready to move out in whatever way he wants to follow him.

Are we prepared? I believe that there are many Christians who are prepared to obey God’s call. However, I also believe that there are many who are not. As church leaders we need to do a better job of teaching the importance of being prepared for God’s call. And we need to encourage each other to grow in our spiritual maturity so that we are ready to obey God no matter what He asks us to do.

Here are some specific things that we can do to be prepared for God’s call:

• Study the Bible. The Bible is our primary source of knowledge about God and his will for our lives. We need to make time to read the Bible regularly and study it carefully.
• Pray. Prayer is our way of communicating with God. We can use prayer to ask God for guidance, wisdom, and strength. We can also use prayer to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.
• Develop our spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines are practices that help us grow in our relationship with God. Some examples of spiritual disciplines include: reading the Bible, praying, fasting, giving, and serving others.
• Surround ourselves with other believers. We need to be around other Christians who can encourage us and help us stay on track. We can find fellowship at our local church or in other Christian groups.

If we do these things, we will be well on our way to being prepared for God’s call. We will be ready to obey Him no matter what He asks us to do.