You Must Act in Advance...Seriously!

Oh, my gosh, He did it again!

Oh, wait, sorry, let me introduce myself. My name is Steve Handy. I’m a minister with Canada Life Church and the rep for Thunder Bay, Ontario. I’ve posted a few things about myself on the “About” page of this Truth on the Go! (TOTG!) website. Feel free to take a look! (Just thought I should mention it, this being TOTG!’s VERY FIRST BLOG POST! (WOOOHOOOO!!!))

Ok, now back to this week’s post.

The Sunday sermon at Canada Life Church (CLC), as always, contained many, many great points that were EXACTLY what I needed to hear. However, one of the most pressing, I’d say, was that we must “Act in Advance”. The sermon made clear that God is urging us desperately to put this into action immediately!! (So important!)

Now, some people like to think church is all about being feeling comforted and relaxed…a “chill” approach to faith. They might not appreciate the gravity with which the message was given today. But bear with me, then decide for yourself whether it’s worthwhile to run with the statement “Act in Advance” with your life on the line.

So, I just picked up my first pack of TOTG! business cards. I probably invested about $60 into them to promote the website and engaging in convos with guys about faith and God. The cards look good! (Don’tcha think?) There’s just one problem. Well, two actually.

1) I have a Facebook site listed on there. But I haven’t made a TOTG! Facebook site yet.

2) I have an Instagram ID on there. But I haven’t made a TOTG! Instagram ID yet.

Sigh. I had planned to do them ahead of time! Really! I just got in a rush and didn’t. Now, if people use that contact info on the business card to look TOTG! up, they’ll get nada. Zip.

How embarrassing.

If I had spent more time preparing in advance, the Facebook and Instagram accounts would be ready. I could be sure that the IDs were accurate. I could post this lovely blog on them (or make a quick video). I could, shockingly, look like I know what I’m doing! Instead, I look…not. And I now have about 100 cards that, while maybe not useless, are way less valuable than the money I spent on them.

Should have “Acted in Advance.”

Have I been warned? Of course. God tells us in the Bible. Check out the following examples, pre-reading for the CLC sermon today...NIV (fyi):

Proverbs 22:3 “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”

Proverbs 24:27 “Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.”

Doing things in advance allows us to be prepared. Being prepared in turn keeps us safe from harm: we can see danger and act to avoid it; we can build a stable economic foundation upon which we can build and enjoy comfort.

What about real-life examples? Yeah, we’ve all got them. Shouldn’t take long to find (he said sheepishly).

Are you a student? Take the time to study for your mid-terms and exams. Attend your lectures and labs. Attend you prof’s and TA’s office hours. The more you do, the more likely you will succeed. Otherwise…

Are you working? Get to work early. Put the effort in. Engage with customers, clients, patients, colleagues, etc. Then you can reap the benefits financially and professionally in the future. Otherwise…

Are you a human being? (What a coincidence! Me, too!) Take care of your health. Exercise; be mindful to eat healthy foods; reduce alcohol, cigarettes, doomscrolling, and anything that makes your body and mind unhealthy. Body, soul and spirit all need solid management. Otherwise…

Are you a minister trying to create a platform to support guys in faith and spirituality? GET YOUR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM IDS DONE! (Oh, for the love…)

Notice, preparation takes effort—doing things in advance doesn’t mean it’s easy. You need to strive, and difficulties will come. However, Acting in Advance does mean reducing the problems and harm that come from not having prepared. Instead, you reap the benefits!

I’m sure you can find many more examples. Look at the news, look at your life, look at others’ lives. See how God is urging you to Act in Advance through the world around you!

That said, my challenge to you this week is this: Find one area of your life where you need to take action in advance to make for an OUTSTANDING outcome. Consider what could happen if you do. And consider what could happen if you don’t. Then plan it out and, even if it’s difficult, go!

Act in Advance. Remember, God works upon those who take action!

You got this!

God bless!

Steve@TOTG!