Sunday, January 13, 2013

Weekend Worship—Doomsday Preppers


Prepping is the act of preparing for some
kind of national or global catastrophe.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Many of you may have noticed a new phenomenon sweeping across our country, and you may have caught an episode of the popular reality TV show by the same name.


For those who aren’t familiar with the term, prepping is the act of preparing for some kind of national or global catastrophe. Prepping has become a popular topic of conversation, and many mainstream families have joined this movement it in some degree or another. As our economy stutters and falters, wars rage, and even the earth itself seems to become the enemy, people are searching for answers.

Devastation can come in many forms.
Prepping experts are divided on what form this coming devastation will take. Some think it will be an economic collapse, others believe we’ll be hit by a pandemic. Still others see the future as a place with a dwindling supply of food and water. The frustration of these differing scenarios is the fact that each one requires a different type of preparation. It’s almost impossible to be ready for all the possibilities.

But the answer doesn’t rest in how well trained we are as survivalists or how well stocked our pantries. Our answer rests with the One who knows what’s to come. Our preparation comes from being still and learning to recognize God’s voice in any circumstance, no matter how trivial or how extreme.

Prepping isn't a bad thing, but we shouldn't stop there. 

Only when we focus on God can we be truly prepared
Our provision is our ability to follow, without doubt or hesitation, when God whispers his plan for our lives. It comes from a heart that’s set on His will, with a foundation of peace and a faith that’s strong because we’ve exercised it through obedience.

So my challenge to you today is to join me as I prepare for the future by moving closer to the God who set time into motion.

7 comments:

  1. God knows what's coming, and how we live out our lives in whatever the circumstances--to His glory, and as a testimony to Him--is what's important. Not self-preservation.

    Evie, you give me glimpses to contemporary culture I've never heard of, preppers, huh?

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Absolutely an AMEN to your challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The thing that boggles my mind about Preppers is the amount of time and energy they put into a futuristic awful life instead of the time put into making this present life more bearable--like loving each other, improving peace between nations, growing food and giving this food to those who don't have any...

    Thanks for the Philippians 4:19 reminder--a strong way to start my day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Some preppers might be ready for the end of the world as we know it, but others have been able to use their skills for more mundane stuff. Take for example the recent events with hurricane Sandy. Preppers rose to the occasion with helping out the community in a number of instances.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I absolutely agree! And I didnt mean to say prepping was bad. We need to be responsible in this day and time. But we should also add spiritual preparation to our plans. Thanks so much for stopping be!

      Delete
  5. Amen! The ultimate prepping is to be prepared to meet God through Christ Jesus. Thanks, Edie for pointing us in the right direction.

    Jean

    ReplyDelete
  6. Edie,

    This is an interesting post. I first read it earlier this week and I'm still thinking about it.

    Two things spring immediately to mind (well, more than that, actually).

    First is that most of these reality shows aren't. They appear to be the modern incarnation of wrestle mania. Scripted to appeal to a certain demographic. They mimic reality, but aren't really.

    Having said that, I'm also reminded of the Prophet Jeremiah. He would be considered a Prepper. Most of the people of his day responded as most of the people today respond.

    That can't happen.

    That won't happen.

    Things will never change and so on.

    But human nature never changes and God never changes. Therefore, when sin abounds, it will be punished.

    And when a society pushes God away, they will be subject to all the things that God would otherwise protect them from.

    We are a sinful society and we have, on the whole, pushed God out of our public lives and, to a great extent, our personal lives.

    You are right in that the only real solution is following God day-by-day and doing what He commands NO MATTER WHAT ELSE GOES ON.

    But we cannot count on God's continued mercy to allow a sinful people to continue sinning without repercussion.

    The bottom line is to neither whole-heartedly accept the practices of the preppers, nor to completely discard them. After all...

    The prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple keep going and suffer for it. Proverbs 22:3

    ReplyDelete