One of the greatest turning points in our life is when we gain the knowledge and understanding that God has given us a purpose-designed life and the power to execute it under His watchful love and grace. This awareness also reveals how in every legacy, God embeds the responsibility and joy of bringing change to our life and the lives of others for our good and His glory.

Preparation is the action of making ready before, before needed, before asking for, and before the total understanding of the use or benefit. Many times preparation is done when we are not even aware that it is preparation.

• We are moved to start saving money, even though it is a sacrifice. Then the opportunity to purchase a home is presented, and we are prepared.
• We are led to go back to school to complete our unfinished degrees. Weeks before graduation, we are asked to consider a promotion, but it would require a degree. In a matter of weeks, we graduate and accept a promotion.
• We clean out our possessions to live with less, and in the process, we feel called to leave our job and enter into ministry, which would require me to sell the home and live in a studio apartment.

God will move us to make a change, and we may not even give God credit for it, but when the accomplishing or the reason for the change appears, we say, Oh, this was so God!

Preparation is common in building, but how we prepare can make a difference in the frustration and disappointment we have in our journey.

In our times of preparation, determining if we are utilizing open versus closed preparation toward a goal or future decision is so key in building our legacy.

Closed Preparation

Closed preparation is when we have the outcome in mind and work towards it with a fixed focus regardless of what is revealed or encountered as we build our legacy and life.

Open Preparation

Open preparation is when we have the outcome in mind and work toward it with focus yet open to changes as revealed after careful consideration and analysis.

Building our legacy with open preparation allows us to show forth God’s grace as we overcome obstacles and the changes He reveals to us. Building a legacy is best done by being led by His Spirit in all things.

John 14:26-27 (KJV)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

As we see in John 14, God’s spirit will lead us as we walk out our salvation, best life, and legacy, without fear, even when He directs us to change and go in a different direction, or stop and wait on Him. Open preparation is so needed to trust that God will guide us into all things in peace.

Building our legacy in closed preparation will cause frustration and fear, which is not God. As we make decisions, always stop and evaluate our midst to be sure that we are open to God and His ways, which are always higher than ours. But know this, fear not, if we miss it, take ownership, adjust quickly and clearly so that all following you will learn about God’s guiding and His great grace.

Our preparation will look different for us than others. Preparation is as diverse as the callings of God, but whatever preparation, we do know that God is the chief building of our life and legacy; therefore, we can have confidence that when we are faithful to prepare, remain open, He is faithful to bring a fruitful legacy and life to pass for our good and His glory.

Those topics are just of the few that are included in the “Legacy Tips” podcast series. Because life is crazy and busy, each of them is ten minutes or less.

Remember, that legacy is the life we live, the choices we make, the truths we share, and the love we unconditionally give, knowing no one is perfect, but we can all bear fruit and fruit that will remain.

To listen to the podcast on Preparation, click here.

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