In the previous devotional I said that honouring God in a big situation is 99% preparation.

We know this to be true in other aspects of life. Let’s say that a sprinter wants to be successful in his race. That race represents 1% of his time. The other 99% is preparation.

The same can be said for honouring God in big situations. Maybe it’s speaking boldly for God in the face of opposition, or loving your enemies, or turning the other cheek, or making a big sacrifice, or even laying down your life for someone. If you haven’t prepared, you might not be as successful.

You’re right. The Holy Spirit can intervene. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). But we are wise to use the tools and opportunities God gives us to prepare.

Here’s one practical suggestion which will help you prepare to honour God in the big situations you might experience: Honour him in little situations.

Your “small” daily experiences are a kind of preparation.

Do you want to speak confidently about Jesus in a big situation? Start by speaking confidently about Jesus in a situation which is low-pressure and low-stress.

Do you want to turn the other cheek in a big situation? Start by being patient and forgiving in those situations which occur quite frequently, and which only a few other people know about.

Paul said: “we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV). Since he consistently did that in “smaller,” low-pressure situations, it was natural to him when he had to speak up about God when things got intense.

Honouring God in a big situation is 99% preparation. 

One of the ways you can ready yourself is to honour him in the “little,” everyday moments which he sets before you.

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Notes:

—New Podcast: “Raising Antifragile Children—a talk with C.R. Wiley.” C.R. Wiley was abandoned when he was young. He became a ward of the state. Through a friend, he became a Christian. Since then he has been a contractor, real estate investor, professor of philosophy, and pastor of a church in the Pacific Northwest. He is also a writer, husband, father and grandfather. I’m no psychiatrist. But as a parent, pastor and all-around concerned citizen, I think that our conversation will provide you with some meaty food for thought. You might also be challenged, disturbed or inspired. But if you want to learn and grow, those can be good things, can’t they? Listen wherever you subscribe to podcasts, watch on YouTube, or listen here.

–Sermon. “Preparing to honour God in big situations.” September 17, 2023. Click here.