Are U Staged?

Photography by Ann Wayne

Ready for What's Next...
 
I have been cleaning out my house like a mad woman.  Getting rid of things I don't use or need.  I'm trying to simplify and downsize a bit.  Recently, I made one of the biggest decisions for my future that I have made in a long time.  I'm moving. Don't know exactly where or when, but it is clear that I am supposed to make this change.

Over a year ago, I started the journey of processing the idea of moving from the two story farm house that my children were raised in. Memories of picking up buck eyes from the five-trunk tree in the fall, toys and books in the attic, gnawed window sills in the barn from the horses, and a pond for labradors to cool off in the summer have painted this tapestry for over twenty five years.

All the children are grown now and out on their own. So it is time to "stage" it for someone else.  My realtor came in recently and began plucking things off of the counter to prepare for potential clients to come and visit.  She grabbed my container of kitchen tools and put them away. I said, "But that's a sign of a good cook!"  She laughed and told me they had to go.  "The cleaner the counter tops, the bigger the room looks," she said.

I began to think about this process called "staging." It simply means to be ready - to set up a room to look clean, crisp and clutter-free. To get rid of the unnecessary stuff.

Isn't that what God calls us to do in our Christian walk so that we're always ready to witness to someone or minister to their needs? Sometimes we have to get rid of the junk in our lives before we can be used by God.

In Bill Hybel's book, "Just Walk Across the Room," he encourages us to live in "3D."

• Develop Friendships - make friends with people from all walks of life so we can be open to opportunities to share the Word with them.
• Discover Stories -  listen to their life stories before sharing your own story and eventually God's redemptive story.
• Discern Next Steps - allow the Holy Spirit to direct you in how to handle the next step in leading a friend to Christ and sharing hope with them.

Evangelism is sort of like "staging."  We must be prepared for whatever God is calling us to do. By spending time in the Word and communing with Him throughout the day, we will know when and what to share with the people He places in our lives. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are told..."in our 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." NIV

We must ask ourselves, "Am I staged?"  Am I ready for the next step?