Many people do not know this about me but I was an avid Boy Scout for over 10 years. The Scout motto was simple…Be Prepared. I can’t tell you how much this thought has been ingrained in me. During every ceremony, every meeting, every event we would recite the Scout Oath, Law and Motto. Another decade later and I remember it all like it was yesterday.
I recently had the opportunity to teach on the concept of preparation to an amazing group of leaders investing in Elementary age students. As I sorted out my thoughts in the days leading up to this workshop a phrase developed…
It is virtually impossible to be passionate when unprepared.
The more that I have ran this through the filter of my life experiences the more I have discovered that this is true. I believe that we should make every effort to be passionate (especially when it comes to presenting the Gospel) but more times than I would like to admit, I have witnessed someone trying to speak passionately on a topic or lesson that they have now clue about.
Definition of Disaster: an uprepared leader trying to present to a group of people that recognize them as leader.
The next time you think about not taking the time to prepare a lesson, message, or presentation do me a favor, DON’T even bother. Either defer to someone else, buy some more time, or better yet, prepare.
