09
Prepare to Perform
John Tilton2 Corinthians 9:3-5
But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
Paul made additional arrangements in sending brothers to those in Corinth to check into and confirm that the people of Corinth were ready and able to perform and fulfill what they had promised in terms of their generous gift. If they needed help in finishing the arrangements they would follow through. There must have been a reason that Paul felt that the Corinthians original promise may not have been fulfilled. Whatever his thinking was, he was proactive in sending brothers to see and confirm that they would be able to fulfill and perform their promise.
We often make commitments and promises with the greatest intentions. However, over time, hearts and situations change, often prompting us to justify the lack of following through with commitments and promises; often justifying and making excuses as to why we cannot deliver or perform. Although the end result is what it will be. Yet, there is often residual fall out and ramifications in terms of subsequent impression(s) left and integrity. Often it is due to the lack of preparation in a timely manner and waiting till the last moment to prepare. Forethought, planning and preparation is so important in most situations where we make plans and promises in advance. Realizing that preparation prior to performance is the foundation that success is built on. The common problem is putting things off with the thought that there is ample time, often leaving no margin for the unforeseen or things that arise.
Dear Lord, with all that you’ve called me to do and be responsible for, thank you for reminding me that preparation is such an integral key to performance success.
