Are You Prepared?



Garrapata State Park, California

  On the weekends we try to spend quality family time together, making memories is how I see it, and most of the time we end up doing stuff like playing board games, going to the beach, watching movies etc. This time we decided to a something a bit different like going for a hike. We had never been on real hike before and we didn’t know what to expect but we very excited and anxious about this new adventure.


I being the over prepared person that I am decided to do some research on hiking. I looked up what to wear, what to expect, what to pack etc. I googled the park we were going to and looked a reviews posted by other see what they had to say about it. After I finished researching, I then passed along the information to family so we could all plan and pack accordingly. We made sure we wore the right kind of shoes and packed enough water a lunch and purchased a small traveling first aid kit just in case we had any accidents.

The trip went great. It started out kind of chilly but we all had some sort of jacket that we later had to shed because just like the information I read online said, the weather can be unpredictable in the mountains, it heated up quickly. We went up some pretty steep and tricky hills but because we had the right shoes we were able to climb with no problem. Once we got to the top we were all pretty tired and hungry, so the lunches we packed came in handy as well as the hats, because there was no shade at the top. We fueled back up and make the trip back down. The whole thing went off without a hitch.

In thinking back on our trip, I am reminded of  Ephesians 6:10-18, where we read, "Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand". Paul talks about putting on the whole armor of God, the helmet, breast plate, shield, sword , belt and shoes. This armor is , this spiritual equipment is whats going to help us when Satan tries to attack us! Its here for us a made available to us, but its up us to USE them and to learn how to use them effectively. I mean really, whats the point in putting all of this on and not know how to use it. Thats why its important for us to be prepared, to study the word ( 2Tim. 2:15) and learn to pray so when trials come we are able to handle them.

I was prepared for my trip, I studied and I was doer of what I read. That preparation made for an amazing time with my family. That same feeling of peace and victory can be realized in our spiritual walk as well, but we must be prepared. Prepared to pray, prepared to stand, prepared to win!!

Many of us are embarking on new journeys in our lives everyday. God has called  some us to do some extraordinary things for the kingdom, like teaching, singing, preaching etc. So the question is, What are you doing to prepare for what God wants you to do?

Are we studying, praying, hearing, doing? Will you be ready when you are released?

Those are just a few questions that I asked myself in my devotion today. I hope you will be blessed and encouraged on today.

We made it to the top (1hr trip up)

Dad and the kids about halfway up