Today we will discuss character traits 1 and 2:
Preparation – This is the action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.
In this stage, you are being observed, and perhaps, without your knowledge. It may be your Pastor, Team Leader or even a Supervisor. They are watching, seeing your commitment. Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good. (Titus 3:1, AMP). They’re taking notice of your attitude when given instructions. You are being molded into who God created you to be. You may have to accept a task that you believe to be beneath you. In particular, when it’s unrelated to your position.
This is a season whereby, you discover if your heart is synced with God’s and if you are really committed to the service of the Lord. You may be tested beyond what you imagined. But, through the process, it will reveal if you can persevere under fire. Thus, you are being trained, so you have to sit under the teachings of your Master, before being allowed to go forth in the field.
Equipping for service ~ This is to provide a person or a place with objects that are necessary for a particular purpose: (2) . In this stage, doors are being opened and you’re given the opportunity to actual minister in the Kingdom of God. 20 Now in a large house there are not only [a]vessels and objects of gold and silver, but also vessels and objects of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honorable (noble, good) use and some for dishonorable (ignoble, common). 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things [which are dishonorable—disobedient, sinful], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [set apart for a special purpose and], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21). But, as mentioned earlier, it may be as a Sunday School Teacher rather than the Superintendent of such a Ministry. It may be in the choir rather than on the Praise and Worship Team. It may be speaking on platform services. It could be serving in the kitchen rather than being a Greeter. It may in the Youth Ministry rather than a Deacon.
Maybe you are waiting for that dream job that provides you with the salary of a lifetime and fringe benefits you’ve ever imagined. It could be you and your spouse desire to start a family, but you believe you’re running out of time, due to your biological clock. It could be desiring to see your destiny come to pass, but just as it appears to manifest, something unexpected always puts an obstruction in your way. Dear one, take heart and faint not! He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power. (Isaiah 40:29, AMP). God knows what is best for you and will come through with an answer that far exceeds your expectations, at His precise time.
I remember when God first called me to be an Evangelist, I received several opportunities to speak on platform services. It was good, but after a while, I wanted to expand my horizons. And I quickly discovered complaining was not going to speed up the process. Therefore, I honored such events and eventually, I began speaking at Workshops, ventured out to being a guest speaker at church functions, and eventually, spearheaded my own Praise and Worship yearly conferences. And now, I am an inspiring author of Inspirational Readings For the Heart ~ Mind ~ Soul and an Interview Manager at Faith Filled Family Magazine. And not only do I execute the interviews, I have interviewed several prominent Christian artists throughout the globe.
Thus, allow God to equip you through training, counseling, developing your skills, patience and through obedience to God and leadership.
Next week we will complete this series with the final element to activtae while waiting on God to birth your purpose. Go loves you!
Now, tell me, what lessons have you learned as you go through the preparation and equipping stage?
Please comment below as such is encouraging.
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END NOTES:
(1). https://www.google.com/
2. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/equip
