How many have started the week with, “Man, I can’t wait until Friday.” And as each day of the week passes, you become more passionate in the declaration that Friday can’t come soon enough, “I am sooo ready for this week to be over.”
What does it mean to be ready? What about the week’s activities, events or experiences has made you ready?
In American English, ready is used as either an adjective or verb.
An example of the word used as an adjective shows that something is all set, in a fit state. Used as a verb it indicates the action of becoming prepared or equipped.
Things may have been tough this week, some bad things happened or you were just overwhelmed and that has made you feel like you are ready for the week to be over. But when we think of spiritual readiness, just because we feel ready, are we ready?
Hebrew 13:21 tells us, “[May the God of peace] … make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ.”
And “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17).
You won’t be ready if you don’t get ready. “Suppose that today Christ should appear in the clouds of heaven, who … would be ready to meet Him? Suppose we should be translated into the kingdom of heaven just as we are. Would we be prepared to unite with the saints of God, to live in harmony with the royal family, the children of the heavenly King? What preparation have you made for the judgment? Have you made your peace with God? Are you laboring together with God? Are you seeking to help those around you, those in your home, those in your neighborhood, those with whom you come in contact that are not keeping the commandments of God? … Are we getting ready to meet the King? …
“If it were possible for us to be admitted into heaven as we are, how many of us would be able to look upon God? How many of us have on the wedding-garment? How many of us are without spot or wrinkle or any such thing? How many of us are worthy to receive the crown of life? … Position does not make the man. It is Christ formed within that makes a man worthy of receiving the crown of life, that fadeth not away. …
“Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have. … Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altar—self, property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory.” Maranatha, 98.
Lord, give us the desire to get ready. Help us to seek to be a people without spot or wrinkle, worthy of the crown of life.