January 28, 2004
Reading
“Prepare your hearts
for the LORD” (3)
When I was a District Manager with one of the nation’s largest insurance companies, I was responsible for recruiting and training new agents. My first training class consisted of an introduction to the company and to the insurance business in general. The second class was dedicated to introducing the new agents to some basic, generic principles that would prepare them for success in their chosen profession—one such principle was the difference between proactive and reactive activity.
Having spent close to thirty years in the business, I was well versed with the problems each of these rookies sitting before me would face. A few listened intently and took to heart the things I shared, but more often than not, they listened but chose to ‘reinvent the wheel.’ Those who thought they knew best frequently ended up on the scrap heap of failed endeavors.
Our scripture reading records the words of Samuel to God’s people who were not walking with Him. He called on them to do four things--return to the LORD with all your hearts, put away foreign gods, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. If they did these things God promised to deliver them from their enemies. Herein lies the difference between proactive and reactive. When the people reacted to their adverse circumstances, they distanced themselves from the Lord and brought His displeasure upon themselves. However, if they prepared their hearts for the Lord, they would experience His favor and blessings. To prepare is paramount to being proactive.
To be proactive is to be aware of the problems and obstacles we will face, and to learn how to deal with them when they confront us. As Christians, the Word of God is our training manual. It clearly informs us of the obstacles we will encounter, the source of those problems, and how we are to prepare ourselves to be overcomers. How can we be proactive Christians? “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” Ps 119:11. In other words, study the training manual. “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil” Prov 2:10-12. It is no secret that knowledge of and adherence to the Word of God is a primary act in proactive training.
What advice does the training manual give us? How can we prepare for a victorious, rewarding Christian life? Paul instructs the Christians in Thessalonica to, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil” 1 Thess 5:16-22. While each of these instructions are worthy of its own chapter, the call to prayer is of vital importance. Without consistent communication with our Heavenly Father our understanding of spiritual things will fade, and those things we learn from the Word of God will lose there importance and value.
Another vital element in our
proactive training is fellowship with other believers. “And they continued
steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in prayers” Acts
“If you would prepare your heart,
and stretch out your hands toward Him; … Then surely you could lift up your
face without spot; yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear …” Job