There was never a championship team in any sport that did not spend significant, long hours and careful thought in one thing: Preparation! A skilled writer doesn’t just sit down one day and peck out a masterpiece. Countless hours and thought were put into reading, other research, thinking, writing and re-writing — in a word — preparation!Preparation has to be individual. No one can practice for you! No one can study for you. No one can take your medicine for you. And in Christianity, no one can do your praying, your studying, or your worshiping for you! Yes, it is true that there is great strength and help given by others who team up with us and offer needful support for us, although there are personal responsibilities which we ourselves have to take responsibility for!
This is why the foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-13 were shut out (Matthew 25:10). They failed to make personal preparation. Philippians 2:12 poignantly states, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” No one else can do it for you! Romans 14:12 states, that every one must give account of himself (or herself) before God. Yet, thankfully, we are never alone in these matters! 1 John 2:1 reminds us that we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. He is the Captain of our team. And He takes our case, guiding and leading us in our preparation to live for Him. And we have the help of fellow Christians. We are living at a time when there are numerous support groups, giving strong help in times of need. Of course, we know about A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous), and their success.
I once met a man who had experienced a disease which required the removal of his vocal chord. He became a member of a group called, “The Lost Chords.” What a positive move on the part of this man, showing some humor even in losing that vital organ. So, surely we will all want to acknowledge God’s plan that each of us must do our part. Who’d want to “be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease, while others fought to win the prize, and sail through bloody seas?” (source).
Yes, let’s remember God is for us! Let’s remember we are not alone! Let’s remember Jesus is our captain and our Advocate. And let’s remember the beautiful and marvelous grace of God, hovering over us through the years. The writer of Hebrews was right on target when he said, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:6-KJV; cf. Psalm 27:1). —Joe Goodspeed
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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