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In his book "You Are Somebody," Jesse Jackson said, "Preparation is the key to confidence." Lack of preparation or poor preparation often leads to self-distrust in our daily activities. When it comes to achieving our goals, preparation is essential. It helps us to be ready and confident when the time comes, and to avoid being caught off guard.
Preparation is the force that pulls tomorrow into today, allowing us to familiarize ourselves with what's to come. It's like a window that God gave us to prepare for the future. It is the introverted twin brother of excellence. While preparation prefers to be hidden and indoors, excellence cannot help but speak for itself.
Various dictionaries define preparation as the action or process of making something ready for use or service. The Bible goes beyond this and captures preparation as your ability to pay the full cost ahead of time for whatever you anticipate. No matter how mentally and physically ready you are for anything, if you are unaware of the full cost, you may be in for a surprise.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of counting the cost. Luke 14:28-31 says, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." No matter how physically or mentally prepared you are, if you do not know the cost of excellence, you may not be able to achieve it.
To achieve excellence, you must know and pay the full cost. King David said, "No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing." (1 Chronicles 21:24-25 NKJV).
It may look challenging to pay the full cost of excellence, but it's necessary and possible. There are no shortcuts. There is no production of juice from the grapevine without crushing it. You have to invest a considerable amount of yourself into whatever you're after.
In today's world, with the volume of data and technological advancement available, it may seem like there's a shortcut to achieving excellence. But the truth is, you have to pay the full price. You cannot offer the Lord what you do not own.
When you make use of supportive resources, ask yourself if what you produce with them feels owned by you. You need to have the wisdom and courage to insist on paying the price, no matter what others may say. Excellence should not look like a stolen good or a dash to you.
To pay the full cost of excellence, align yourself with your anticipated outcomes. Declare that you owe excellence no sum, and that all cost is fully paid in the name of Jesus. Ecclesiastes 5:12 says, "The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much." If you want to have a well-deserved rest at the end of the day, then pay the full cost of excellence.
In conclusion, the road to excellence can appear challenging. It requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to pay the full cost. However, the rewards are worth it. When you pay the full cost, you will achieve excellence in all areas of your life.
Join me on today's edition of Igniting Your Day.
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