Preparation before presentation means everything to me.

In a spiritual light, I think preparation is important to God, too.

If I am working on a project with a goal to present that project in a certain time period, I want to be prepared. I want to have done the legwork. I want to have my ducks in a row.

If I am getting ready to present a script to a group of actors, I want to make sure I have done everything to prepare that script.

If I am getting ready to direct a sketch, I want to be prepared before I walk in there to direct.

If I am editing a document, I want that document to be polished before I get it ready to be printed.

If I am getting ready to speak in front of a group of people, I want to write out what I plan to say, and then I time my talk to see how long it is.

If I am not prepared for a certain presentation, I am discombobulated.

Preparation is the key to everything I want to do.

In reflecting on this type of mindset, I see how God works in us spiritually in a similar way.

He prepares us for the ministry he has called us to for a certain season in our lives. Often times, this preparation takes years.

In Sunday’s sermon on May 4, 2025, entitled “God Only Knows,” our pastor taught from Exodus 2:11-25, which details Moses’ escape to Midian after he committed the murder of an Egyptian in Egypt.

In that skirmish, Moses assumed the role of a leader before God had called him to the task, and He preemptively broke off an Egyptian’s beating of a Hebrew.

After the murder, Moses tried again to stop another fight, this time between two Hebrews. One of the Hebrews asked Moses, “Who made you a prince and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” (Ex 2:14a)

Fearing Pharaoh, Moses went into exile in the desert and became a shepherd for forty years before God called Him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Moses was a young man when he thought he was ready to lead. Instead, God called Him years later, when he was 80-years-old.

God had to prepare Moses. Just like He prepares us.

When I met Christ at age 20, I thought I was ready to change the world. But God had to work out a great deal of pride in my heart before using me in a ministry I am in now.

That pride project took about 30 years. I still struggle with pride and have to guard against it. But still, God has humbled me quite a bit. At least, I hope so.

The three things discussed in the sermon were:

I should expect to strike when God makes me ready.
I should expect God to develop my character, not just my skills and abilities.
I should expect to be prepared for God’s plans.

In preparing us spiritually for a certain task, God has some legwork to do in our heart.

Thankfully, God knows what He’s doing as He prepares us for His plans.

Thankfully.

–Ann Elizabeth Yeager