Practice or Preperation?

      Prepare your work outside; Get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

                      Proverbs 24:27

         What do we usually practice with?  Riding a bike, w hen in grade school we practice our ABC's, writing etc.  When we get older we practice giving speeches, we practice singing, dancing or even how we treat others. What about preparation? Is there a difference?

                               Prepare to be amazed!

  But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

                          1 Peter 3:15

         

           What is the difference between practice and preparation anyway?

                  Practice- Carry out or perform ( a particular activity, method or custom) habitually or regularly.

                  Preparation- The action or process of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.

        There's a big difference between the two. 

        I will never forget this comment that this girl said. Back when Twilight (the first movie) came out in theaters, my sisters and I were so excited. After the movie came out on DVD we bought it and threw a movie night for some of the other girls in the neighborhood. After the movie we asked the girls some questions. I think we asked if the girls think it's okay to kiss when you're dating someone. One girl piped up and  answered loudly and confidently; 

             " Oh, I think it's good to kiss. You have to practice so when you get married you'd be able to know how to kiss!"

       I admired her outspokenness and honesty. What she believed, though, concerned me. 

              Yes there are things you can practice with, but when it comes to human beings that is not right. You don't need to practice kissing your boyfriend or multiple boyfriends. All that opens you up to is lust and sexual addiction.  The thing is that's not the most important thing when you get married. Yes it's important that you like kissing but, what you can prepare for is being married to a man! You can prepare for marriage by reading what the Bible says about it and ask your parents, and other married family members or friends. The most important thing is to ask God to prepare you and trust him.

            As followers of Christ we get practice and preparation mixed up. Practicing sounds more like it's ritualistic.  Preparation is more personal. Your parents prepare you for how you are to act in public. You are prepared for abiding by the law, being able to understand you can't always get what you want and respecting rules by you being disciplined by your parents. God can prepare us for things that he wants us to do in our lives. 

           There was a young woman who was very thin, short and had stick straight black hair. She was often looked down on and she felt dejected. One day she felt led by God to go on a mission trip to a different country. She ended up going to China and guess what?  She fit right in! God prepares us for things we can't even imagine! 

          There are things you have to practice for and there are things you are prepared for. What is God preparing you for?