Be Prepared, but don’t be busy?

As I have shared often I believe there is an increasing urgency to get prepared.  With every passing day I am more convinced with the increasingly intense need to prepare – and every day my family is busy with preparing.

The comments that will be expressed here will seem to be somewhat contradictory.   I assure you there is not a contradiction, but the confusion will lie in the interpretation.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with two of my dearest friends – specifically about the topic of preparation.  I hear from people all the time about their concerns and even fears with things that are going on, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to get a perspective from two people I know have a strong faith in God.

Their responses were very interesting, and were really a confirmation with what God has impressed to me.   The more interesting part for me is that the opinions they expressed, appear to be opposite answers to the same question.  The reality is, the answers were both consistent with what God has shown me about the need to prepare.

There is no question about the need to prepare for things that are ahead.  In fact, I believe there are significant challenges ahead for the USA that will cause great grief for those who are not adequately prepared.  One of my friends shared a warning (that God had impressed on him) about a coming drought and violent hurricanes that are ahead.  He obviously believes people need to prepare, and wanted my help in sharing the warning.

His warning was a confirmation of what Yah had impressed to me.  I also believe there are going to be turbulent times that will shake the earth.  Floods, mudslides, drought and quakes will impact lives, and cause chaos and suffering.  We must be prepared.

When I asked the other friend for his opinion about the times, he simply said “Rest in Him, and do not focus too much on turmoil and chaos the are coming”.

While this seems to be a contradiction to the message of preparation, it really is not.  In fact, from what Yah has shown me – this IS the essence of the preparation call.  Our focus should be on He who calms the storm, and less emphasis on the boat that is being tossed in the wind.

Our Messiah said…

“Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Right now, it is important to prepare your cupboards and store provisions – especially if drought is coming.   The need to prepare and store food, water and provisions is obvious – and is not an alarmist reaction.  It is being prudent to the warnings.

BUT… the more important part of preparation, is to Prepare as the Bride.  Spend time at the feet of the Messiah and feast on His provision.  Draw closer to Him and rest in His peace.  Let your preparations be guided in Faith – and the knowledge that God is in control, and not you.

Preparing the wrong way

I’ve been talking about preparation for a LONG TIME – far longer than most people even considered preparing. Like many of the current preppers, I’ve been called an “alarmist”, fearmonger, ignorant, silly, and a few other choice words.

Today, “preparation” is a very common discussion – and there is actually a whole movement of people called – “preppers”. I’m finding out that preppers consider themselves different from survivalist – kindof a survivalist lite.

Many people are now saying they received a “call” to prepare. I felt that same call many years ago, and actually was one of the first to coin the term “Preparation Call” – as I believed that God was preparing some people for an important time. There are now tens of millions of references to the term “Preparation Call” on the web.

Today, there a millions of people who assume preparation is all about “storing up food, buying a grain mill, and getting a cow”. While those things are important, unfortunately, most people still COMPLETELY miss the point.

There are people who assume they are getting prepared because they put a closet together provisions in anticipation of a chaotic event in the future. Certainly, it is VERY important to get provisions in place, but that is only the surface – and most people are still falling dangerously short of what is really needed.

What I see many people doing right now is almost as dangerous than if they didn’t do anything. They operate with an “Intellectual Faith”, and call it preparation. Their provisions have in some ways become their security and have given them some measure of comfort for their fears – as they ready themselves for the coming storm. Again, I contend they are missing the point.

In my humble view, if I carry preparation too far and assume that my efforts will somehow control an outcome, then I am likely putting my faith in my works. I am personally trying bring keep the boat stable in the storm, rather than rely on the only One who can truly calm the storm.

Bottom line is – preparation is not at all what most people think. People are on-edge, fearful, and are wound pretty tight as they anticipate a coming calamity.

Consider this…

When the quake hit Japan and then the subsequent concern about nuclear fallout, within a few days – the shelves in NC were completely depleted of Potassium Iodide. I live some 6,700 miles away from the catastrophe, but people in my town rushed to protect themselves from the fallout. Do you think people are a little bit on edge?

Even as the government said there are no health risks for people in the US, droves of individuals ignored those hollow statement and ran to get protection. You think people anticipate our government as being too untrustworthy?

Now, I submit to you… those who have been in preparation were the main people who ran to get the Potassium Iodide. Oops… they must have forgotten to get that one on the list of items they were supposed to have as part of their prepping.

So, what if a major radiation leak happened at one of the facilities in your area? (Please don’t call me an alarmist or assume that I am suggesting that is coming – it is a hypothetical question). Do you think all of the preparations and food storage would be safe from such an event?

Preparation is FAR more than just storing food and provisions. If you store a closet full of food, and a disaster wipes out your home – what do you have now to be prepared with?

“Martha, Martha, you worry and fret about so many things and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

I believe Yah wants us to be preparing so that we might be better able to share with others. For me, the first step in preparation is to strengthen my Faith in HE who is able to calm the storm. Right now, it is vital that we strengthen our relationship with Him as well as bonding stronger with those we love and serve every day.