Preparation – joy or hassle?

‘How’s your preparation going?’

That was the question I was asked by a colleague the other day.

What was my response?

I think preparation consists of two aspects, social and administrative. I love the social. Time spent with friends and family before I leave is a total pleasure. However, the administrative aspect produces other emotions. Hassle, and a sense that much effort is required to do everything I need to do before I leave. The list of tasks is endless.....sorting out my house, my car, various professional licensing issues, change of address notifications, booking flights, filling in numerous forms, deciding what to pack and what to leave behind. It feels like it’s constantly one thing after another.

There is so much to do and so little time to do it. But I don’t want my last few weeks in England to be defined by ‘effort and hassle’. I want to enjoy them. So I’ve decided to do just that. I believe you can change how you think because the bible says you can, and I have seen it to be true in my own life. ‘Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think’. (Romans 12: 2). I’m learning to change how I think.

I can’t control what needs to be done or what might happen to me. But I realise I can control how I react to external things. It is choice and I can choose. I’m choosing to think joy and peace not hassle and effort. I am choosing to enjoy all the little jobs that need doing. And I’m refusing to let anything or anyone to rob me of my joy. And how do I do that? By applying another biblical principle,‘Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus’. (Philippians 4: 6-8). That's how.

So, what was my response to the question, ‘How’s the preparation going?’

‘Great thanks. I’m really enjoying my last few weeks.’