PREPARATION & PERSEVERANCE

When the young couple asked me to photograph their wedding a few months ago I was very uncertain of myself. I have never photographed a wedding and I was terrified of the huge responsibility that was going to be upon me. I had no confidence in myself or my abilities – but this young couple clearly did. There was even a time when I thought I would tell them I couldn’t do it, but I just couldn’t do that to them. And then God said to me that He knows something that I don’t. He said I should trust Him and preserver. So I began a process of preparation. I sat and made lists of all the “must take” pictures and I asked God to help me with the creative ideas of what to take too. I had many ideas and I was beginning to feel more and more confident that I could actually do this. As the day approached I spent more time in prayer about it and felt sure and confident that I would be able to do it. I was no longer nervous or afraid and I was ready. I was equipped with the right tools, and I asked God for energy and creativity and vision. I went to the salon the day of the wedding where the bride was having her hair done and from there to the end of the day it was smooth sailing. I took hundreds of photos and didn’t have time to really do all the shots I wanted to do but I went home feeling exhausted and with a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness.And this spoke to me of how we need to prepare to be part of Gods army. We need to know what He wants us to do and ask Him to strengthen us and spend time studying His word and praying. We must make sure we are equipped for battle and that we don’t run onto the battle field without our sword or without our armor. If we spend time preparing for battle we will be ready and we will be confident and we will know that we will able to do whatever he calls us to do. We will not doubt our strength or abilities. And we will be able to just trust Him.

It also spoke to me of persevering. I could have let my fear get the better of me and I could have decided I was not going to do it. I could have believed the lies I was hearing about myself from the enemy and been convinced that I had no experience in such a thing and therefore I would never be able to do it. I could have given up even before I began. I could have surrendered and never experienced the wonderful feeling of joy and satisfaction that I was feeling. If we allow ourselves to be intimidated we will miss out on the wonderful blessing and rewards God has for us, remember God will not call us do something that is easy. He will call on us t do something we don’t think we can do because then we will have to rely on Him to see us through and we will see His power at work in us and we will give Him all the glory for what He has done. I am so glad that I didn’t give up because I have never done something that I loved and that was so rewarding as that wedding. And that is what the enemy is trying to steal from us. He never wants us to grow in Christ and experience the sense of victory and fulfillment we have when we put our trust in Jesus and complete the task He has called us to, no matter how hard or impossible or huge it may seem to us. Even if it may seem like a small victory to us, it is HUGE in the eyes of heaven and of the enemy. He never wants us to experience them, and he will use every lie and trick in the book to ensure we don’t.

So, preparation is important because it builds us up in faith and in strength, and when we prepare we will be able to persevere, and we will experience the awesome victory and joy that there is in Christ alone.

Prepare and Persevere, God wants to use each one of us. Listen for His voice – and let Him lead you through to victory! You can do anything in Christ who strengthens you.

Anything!!!

Thank you Father for opening this door for me and for leading me. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your encouragement and for never letting me quit. Use me Lord, use me in any way. Thank you for revealing a talent to me that I never realised I had and for allowing me to use it to Your glory. Thank you for the relationships and friendships I have developed through using the gift You gave to me. I praise You Lord for the wonderful lessons I am learning as I grow in You. Let me be always prepared and ready to be used by You whenever You call on me.

I love you Lord!

Amen