20171101- Post Trek Thoughts About "Being Prepared?"

Photo 13/10/2017 : 

The Rope of Help and Hope

The Trek Pole muddily poked

The leeches sucked and boots soaked

Out came the vinegar and cigarette smoke

Alas how well prepared were we for this little adventure?

Not that well but full of surprises and in the end we did cope!

The little poem above perhaps summarised it all as I reflected on this 'adventure' the 6 of us had!  Trekking up this Endau Rompin Selai Malaysia National Park was a real eye opener for all of us!

What is the meaning of prepare? 

It is simply to make ready.

What is the objective of this trek?

This trek was a test of our mental and physical stamina -from beginning to end.

The end of the reward was to witness the awesome waterfalls.

Were we prepared for this trek?

Perhaps 90% we were - gears and all.

But what we did not anticipate was the journey and obstacles we had to endure.

First was the muddy and narrow paths.

Then came the streams and little rocks

And the worst was the leeches encounter

Then came the ropes that made us go uphill and downhill!

Those who "PREPARED" themselves:-

• John the Baptist PREPARED the way for the Lord Jesus- He was the voice of the one calling in the desert "Make straight the way for the Lord (John 1:23)
• Abraham PREPARED his son Isaac as a burnt offering for God (Gen 22)
• David PREPARED his only 5 smooth stones and sling to struck down Goliath to let the whole world know there is a God in Israel, for the battle belongs is the LORD's. (1 Sam17)
• Esther PREPARED herself for 12 months of beauty treatments before presenting herself to the King
• Ruth PREPARED to glean in the field and lay at Boaz's feet at the threshing floor to redeem herself and ended up with the amazing genealogy of David & Jesus Christ 
• Mary who PREPARED her expensive nard perfume and washed Jesus' feet with her hair & perfume (John 12:3)
• Even Jesus is PREPARING a place for us right now (John 14:3)
• And God has PREPARED a city too for us (Heb11:16)

Like this trekking lesson,  Prov 24:27 reminded me of "Finishing my outdoor work and getting my fields ready, after that building my house"  Despite any obstacles that come my way, be it the climbs or the leeches and the mud, like Mat 24:13 , we "shall learn to endure unto the end, the same shall be saved"  Luke 12:47 is a stark reminder if we do not prepare well for His coming " And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes"

The reward of soaking in the refreshing cool waterfalls was memorable.

The rope along the paths we trekked, provided great help and hope.

Such a physical reflection requires a spiritual evaluation of the same.

Reflections

May the LORD prepare my heart , hand and feet.  Ready 24/7. Send me.
Luke 19:13 The parable of the 10 minas. Occupy till I come! Amen!