Are you ready?

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work.” — Acts 13:2

Three months before a planned missions trip, a friend and I were talking about the upcoming event. He said to me, “If anyone can’t go, I’d be willing to step in and join you.” This was not going to be an easy 8 days, for we would be painting, repairing, and fixing stuff in the July heat of Jamaica. Yet my friend seemed eager to go.

About 6 weeks before we were scheduled to leave, there was an opening. I e-mailed my friend — and asked if he was still in the interim — and asked if he was still interested. He immediately responded, “Sure! And I got a passport just in case you asked.” He had made sure he was ready — just in case he got the call to go.

My friend’s preparation reminds me of what happened back in the first century at Antioch. Paul and Barnabas were among a number of people getting themselves ready spiritually for whatever God might ask them to do, or wherever He might send them. They didn’t prepare by getting a passport, but they “ministered to the Lord and fasted” (Acts 13:2). And when the Holy Spirit said, “Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work” (v. 2), they were all set for the journey.

Are you preparing for what God might want you to do? When the Spirit says, “Go,” will you be ready? — Dave Branon

Available for God to use me,

Available, if God should choose me;

Should it be here or there, it doesn’t matter where;

My waiting heart prepare. — Anthony

READ: Acts 13:1-5

Keep your tools ready — God will find work for you.

The Bible in one year:

• Job 11-13

• Acts 9:1-21