Several years ago while living in South Florida, I was praying as I worked around the house, asking God to send me something, an inspiration. And He did. The mailman brought that month's issue of Reader's Digest. As I was scanning the titles of the current articles, I found what I was looking for "Just Be Ready."
The true story was of a housewife who was asked to join a group of neighbors in a CPR class at the YMCA. She had never given this any thought before, but decided to take the course. It was only a short time, perhaps weeks later, when her husband had a heart attack. She administered CPR until the Rescue workers arrived. She had been ready.
Within a few months, I read a news article in our daily paper. There had been radio reports for 3 days also. The reporter was interviewing the Fire Chief about a huge fire in downtown Miami.
Before I get into the interview, let me explain something. Miami has one of the most rigid construction codes in the United States. Too many lives had been lost when Miami was hit by hurricanes. Buildings had to be able to withstand winds in excess of 150 miles per hour.
Fire codes were also rigid. Firewalls were put between floors, offices, and apartments. Sprinkler systems were required in many buildings.
So when a downtown office building of several stories high caught fire, it was very unusual. To make matters worse, the roof and the floor just below it was the parking garage for the workers and visitors to the building.
The Fire Chief had not slept in 3 days. His concern was first to get everyone out of the building. Next was concern for his men, for their safety during their fight to put out the fire. It would not be known until later what started the blaze or what caused it to spread.
Floors were collapsing. A large crane was brought in to lift automobiles from the top of the building, down to the street. Every precaution was being taken to protect life and buildings, which were close to the one on fire.
The Fire Chief's statement was what caught my attention: "We seldom have a fire of this magnitude. Even so we drill and work to prefect our performance to be ready for any fire, large or small. We work also to save all lives." These are my words since I do not have the article to refer to. Once again, they were ready. They had practiced.
If God has a particular job for you, He will help you to be ready. He will never ask you to do something that He will not make you capable of handling. You will rise to the occasion.
.So keep on studying your Bible. Complete the months reading your Pastor gives us. Do not just read - - STUDY. Read the Bible through, not just once, many times. You will be surprised to find you will get something new every time you read it. It is the mystery of the Bible. New experiences will also give you different understandings of passages you have read or heard many times before.
Pray and ask for guidance in what you should do. He will answer. If you have doubts talk to your Pastor. God will not by-pass the Pastor.
JUST BE READY. A DOOR WILL OPEN.
By: Betty J. Ivey