In many parts of the world, millions of people prepare in the warmth of summer for the rigours of winter. Great stores of freshly cut timber are stacked around houses, and barns full grain and other produce, evidence preparation and planning.

But in our Consumer driven society, with ‘everything instantly available and waiting on the superstore shelf’, we can lose touch with the need for preparation and planning.

We have an open fire in one of our living rooms, so I try during the warmer months to make ready as many logs as possible. It is pleasant working outside on a summer’s day, and the growing store of cut timber provides evidence of good work well done. But do the same work on a freezing winter’s day, when it’s dark early and often wet, you may think, “If I had thought ahead I could have made this easier for myself!”

As a Christian pilgrim, what areas of your life could be made easier with strategic planning? In the changing seasons of your life, are you making the most of every opportunity? Whatever your personality type, do you start with the end in mind?

Do you have a hope and an expectation of the future that will be significantly more attractive if you are more ready for it before it arrives?

The biggest future picture is eternity. What are you doing to prepare for that? As a Christian you should be rejoicing in forgiveness and the underserved receipt of God’s mercy. But what are you building the “foundation … that is Jesus Christ”? Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 3, “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, sliver or precious stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is … the fire will test the quality of each man’s work”.

If we intend to hear the “well done” of our Lord and Saviour, we had better do well in using our gifts, serving others and seeking first his kingdom. A good reward in eternity is not an automatic right. It requires the right work, well done.

It has been said, “If you build my house, I’ll build yours.” This means dealing first with God’s business in our lives and then watching him take good care of our affairs. Stephen expressed it another way. “What kind of house will you build for me?” When we understand our “house” to mean our commitment to Christ’s church, our relationships, and our individual lives, what we are building?

Let’s give it some thought …

Christ’s Church
The Bible is full of teaching about the privilege of serving in God’s house. We know this after reading about the sons of Aaron, the Levites, the singers and doorkeepers, to mention but a few. Why then are so many churches full of faithful people – those who faithfully serve at any and every opportunity and those who faithfully let them? The latter must not understand what a privilege it is, or that greatness is shown through service (John 13), that we become what we should be in serving, and that in serving Christ’s body – the Church – we plan well for the development of the rest of our lives.

Our Relationships
When taking a wedding recently, I quoted, “Man is unique in that he can conceive of the future, and can relate the present to the future, even to the eternal. He lives in terms of a moral structure, and with meaningful interpersonal relations. He is the only creature that can have marriage instead of mating, for marriage involves commitment for the future and confidence of permanence. Man also discerns his own loneliness and incompleteness (Genesis 2:18) and the possibility of the complementary nature of marriage, husband and wife each fulfilling that which is lacking in the other.”

Though it is easy to presume on great relationships and to make assumptions about the future without the appropriate loving investment, we must ‘saw our logs’ on the sunny days of family life and friendships. Then we will have something to ‘burn’ on the wet, windy winter nights of frustration and disappointment.

As Individuals
Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, says the Bible. So, how are you looking after your life?

Keeping the presence of God is a massive priority. Maintaining your health in body, mind, soul and spirit is a necessity. Keeping the dream of your life alive and focused is a great motivator. What are you doing to make sure you are all you were created to be? What obvious areas are you not preparing?

Do you need to be more intentional in your planning – in your career, your spiritual service, your financial future, your family and friendship?

The ‘logs’ won’t be there when you need them unless you do the hard work now.

Source: This article appeared in Empowered, the magazine of Asseblies of God in New Zealand Summer 06 edition.