September is National Preparedness Month – Are You Prepared?

“Be prepared.” Growing up and participating in the Boy Scouts, Alec heard this motto frequently. Scout organizations around the world have been using this as their motto since 1907. The motto became a part of Alec’s everyday life. In high school, Alec was the guy who kept jumper cables, sand, chains, food, water, and an all weather blanket in the back of his car – just in case. In college, he was always the guy that had the tools to fix just about anything. In his professional career, he was always looking for what could go wrong with a presentation or project – so he could have the necessary tools or information to fix the problem immediately. When going on business trips, Alec ensured his wife had all the necessary phone numbers and knew when he should be calling. Alec’s children had several “safe” questions, in case anyone tried to pick them up from school that they did not know. In case of an emergency, Alec’s children knew where to go and whom to call. They knew where the emergency kits were in the home. Alec was always prepared for whatever life may throw at him.

Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. (Proverbs 24:27, ESV)

September is National Preparedness Month! Established in 2004 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency within the Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness Month is dedicated to reaching out and educating people on the importance of begin prepared to respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks.

In recent years, preparedness has become even more important with disasters seeming to increase every year. Families need to be prepared to regroup at a safe location if their house is destroyed. They also need to be prepared to survive if they become stranded in their homes with no power.

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10, NLT)

Alec was physically prepared for life’s events. He prepared his family for life’s events. But what about spiritually? If Alec were to die of a heart attack tomorrow, would he be prepared to face God’s judgment? There is so much more to life than being prepared for the physical events that may be thrown your way. We must also be prepared for spiritual disasters. Preparation begins with salvation. Accepting that Jesus Christ came to this earth as a man, experienced the same temptations and trials that we face everyday, and did not fall into sin. Accepting that Jesus Christ, a sinless man, was killed – brutally executed – for you, for me, so that we could spend eternity with Him.

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

After accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we must be prepared to be a witness for Him. Daily study of His Word, the Bible, is a key part of our preparation. As a follower of Christ, Satan will attempt to entice us, to snare us, to cause us to sin. We must be prepared to stand against Satan, to stand against the world, and to stand for Christ, because, one day, He will return!

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