“One of my neighbors came by last night,” Stan began. “He was pretty dejected.”
“Over what?” I asked.
“He moved here recently from another state and needs to get a new driver’s license. Yesterday he took the written test and failed.”
“It can be a tough test,” I responded.
“Especially if a person doesn’t prepare,” Stan said.
“He didn’t prepare?” I asked.
“That’s what he said,” Stan replied. “He said he had been driving for several years and thought he knew all he needed to know to pass the test.”
“So he is going to take it over,” I said. “Hope he prepares next time.”
“I’m sure he will,” Stan responded.
Continuing, he said, “What happened with my neighbor reminded me of my failure to prepare in being ready for whatever God may have in store for me.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“Every day is an adventure,” Stan responded. “I never know who or what God is going to bring into my life. If I have not prepared adequately by spending time with Him each day getting to know Him better, I may not be ready with the response He intends for me to have.”
“To give you a concrete example,” he continued, “when I first became a Christian and was involved in a Bible study, one day I was in a coffee shop working on the lesson. A man came by and asked me what I was reading. I was not prepared to give him an answer. I was embarrassed and, in retrospect, probably missed an opportunity to make a difference.”
“On the other hand,” he said, “just yesterday I was in another coffee shop reading my Bible. A fellow came by the table and asked what I was reading. I not only was prepared with an answer, I was prepared to share the truth of the gospel. Right there he accepted Christ and got his ticket for the train to glory. Eternal difference for him because I was prepared.”
“And,” Stan concluded, “that preparation came from my willingness to spend time with God each day and being open to His preparing me for who and what He knows He is going to bring into my life.”
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But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you want to prepare me for everyone and everything you bring into my life. I confess that too often I have not been prepared because I have not spent the time with you in order to be prepared. Please forgive me. And please, Lord, draw me ever closer to you so I want to know all you have for me. Please help me in knowing, understanding, receiving, and embracing all you have for me so that I will be prepared for whoever and whatever you choose to bring into my life. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 