The Power Of Preparation

God is teaching me lately to NEVER underestimate the power of preparation and servant hood.

There have been many many areas where I have volunteered over my lifetime, and there have been days, when I have wondered, "Why am I doing this?!! I'm not getting paid!! Am I wasting my time?" In these moments of "soulish" thinking, God always reminds me of the scripture in Ephesians 6:7-8

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

He always reminds me that He is the one who led me to serve in those areas, and that ultimately it was Him that I was serving, and He always keep an account of our servant hood before Him. We do however have to be careful that we are not serving to gain recognition, or affirmation from others, but if God has led you there, then He will reward you in it. He has a plan of preparation for your life that is not your thinking, but His divine plan.

The word PREPARE means:

To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson.
To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defense;

God will use even the most difficult of situations to prepare us. He may not intended for those difficult situations, however He will teach us and give us strategies in these circumstances that will prepare us even more for what He has in store for us. Eph. 6 says that He will reward EVERYONE for whatever good he does.

Gods reward system doesn't look like the world's reward system. I have not been able to completely understand His reward system, however, I have been able to experience some of it.

Often His rewards look like, peace, or an increase of knowledge, an understanding of His character or a certain attribute, or learning the value of servant hood. The list is endless and custom tailored to what you need.
If God has asked you to serve in an area, then it is never a waste of time. During seasons of servant hood, He is working deep lessons into your spirit man, and having you partner with Him to sow seeds of righteousness that may not surface a bear fruit for a time. But make no mistake, they will bear fruit. God cannot go against His laws of sowing and reaping.

Of late, God has been showing me all the skills that I have learned while serving and volunteering. He has been showing me that all this time, He has been training and preparing me for His ultimate purpose for my life. He has had a "custom-made destiny" set up for me, and all the preparation, and days of serving have been in His plan. How exciting!! All this time, He has been setting me up. He is setting you up. No lesson or experience is a waste of time in His kingdom.
So today, if you are a little weary in well-doing, remember that you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ and he always keeps an accurate record. And He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He's the best investment plan that I know.

For I know the plans I have for You, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

God, today we choose to submit to Your plans for our lives, recognizing that wherever we are serving right now, is part of Your plan for preparation. Help us to remember that all we do is for you. Our lives are a reflection of worship before You, and You see it all.