Preparation and Purpose

I Peter 1: 13

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

"Gird up" (prepare):
a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt."

I like this word picture, it illustrates very well how we are to remove or put aside any encumbrances so we can we take action or work. One interesting thing to note is that the ancients did this at the beginning... not once they had begun but in preparation for what lay ahead of them. That required forethought and a sense of purpose.

"keep sober in spirit":

We are to be discreet and keep watch. Our minds are to be occupied with things that pertain to our calling as believers. Now does that mean we are fuddy duddies that have no sense of humor without any sort of interesting personality? No! It does mean that we are serious about our calling as believers and that brings a sense of purpose to all we do (Romans 14:17). We are not to be senseless but loving, joyful, patient, kind, among other things (Eph. 5:22-23).

"fix your hope completely in the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ"

Completely means perfectly, entirely, to the end, in the sense of accomplishment of hope. We are to fix (set) our hope perfectly, entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at Christ's revelation. He is our source, our motivation, our reason for preparing for action in the first place. We are to wait for our salvation with joy and full confidence that He who promised is faithful to complete that which He has begun (I Thes 5:23-24).

As we look forward to Christ's return and He will enable us to prepare, act, keep watch, and hope in His abundant grace.

Thank You Lord for the grace which You so freely bestow on me every day. Forgive me for losing sight of my purpose and falling short. Enable me to live a life that is honoring to You in my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. In Jesus' name - Amen.