Willingly, I will sacrifice to You;
I will praise Your name, Lord, for it is good.
Psalm 54:6 (NASB)
Series: In Remembrance
As the days grow longer, the temperatures rise, and the buds push through the earth, the preparations for the new season begin. Spring is exciting and, simultaneously, very busy! It’s invigorating to get out in the sunshine, breathe in the fresh air, and complete some cleanup/freshen-up tasks. It can also be exhausting. Jumping into the new season successfully requires strategic planning and preparation.
I remember when my husband and I were new homeowners, and for the first time, solely responsible for the upkeep of our home and yard. Thankfully, my husband had a “mind to work” and enjoyed making our property beautiful. Yet this common goal involved a plethora of chores, required significant financial resources, obligated us both to learn new skills, and compelled us to sacrifice to achieve our objectives. It took serious groundwork ahead of the implementation.
You may have heard it said: Preparation time is never wasted time. You can look back on different seasons of your life and see how times of preparation boosted your success once you had the green light—or sunlight—to act. You may also remember things you failed to prepare for and the resulting deficiencies or failures.
In Matthew 4:1-11 (NASB), we learn of some preparation time Jesus experienced. This passage reads:
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” Then the devil *took Him along into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and he said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written: ‘He will give His angels orders concerning You’; and ‘On their hands they will lift You up, So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took Him along to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to serve Him.
Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights. During this time, He prepared to overcome the enemy and fulfill the ministry planned for Him. At the end of those forty days and nights, the devil tempted Jesus with desires of the flesh, lusts of ego, and the pride of power. The sacrifices Jesus made before Satan’s lures positioned Him to stand strong against the enemy and fulfill the will of God in His life.
God has required the same of us—not that we could ever accomplish what Jesus has done for all of humanity. His perfect work is finished. But a life of sacrifice and preparation is appointed to each of us so that God’s perfect plan for our individual lives can be fulfilled. 1 John 2:15-17 (NASB) says:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever.
Many things can draw us away from fulfilling God’s destiny for us. Just as in Jesus’ life and example, we can be tempted with lusts of the flesh, the desires of pride and the ego, and the effects of power in our lives. The prize for each of those is futile and will burn away, and most likely, cause destruction in our lives. Only the fruit of seeking God, desiring His righteousness, and performing His will is eternal.
Matthew 6:33 encourages us:
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.
The season of Lent has begun. Lent occurs forty days before Easter and is observed by many Christian denominations and non-denominational churches alike. During those forty days and forty nights, Christians focus on spiritual preparation, rooted in prayer, sacrifice, and charity. We remember how Jesus spent those forty days and nights in the wilderness, His victory over the enemy, and His miraculous ministry following that time of sacrifice.
As we walk through the next several weeks, may we look to Jesus and His example. In remembrance of Him, may we prepare our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls to fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives. Just as we prepare to perform our spring-cleaning tasks, may we itemize a list of decluttering for our lives. Just as we clear out the dead leaves, weeds, and debris from our flower beds, may we remove all things that distract us from holy living.
Preparation time is never wasted time. Let’s dig in and prepare to clear some ground together!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: Psalm 54:6; Matthew 4:1-11, 6:33; 1 John 2:15-17; Proverbs 12:28; Hebrews 12:2
