10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11"Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.'" Joshua 1:10,11 (NKJV.)
Preparation is a powerful tool to position you to be effective. Every salesman or pastor understands the power of preparation.They understand that spectacular achievement comes from unspectacular preparation. The people who will win in 2012 are thosewho embrace preparation to the core. Anold saying has it that, “Champions don’t become champions in the ring – they are merely recognized there.” Meaning champions are made through their daily routines. There are four lessons that we can learn from what Joshua told the people to do in order to possess their Promised Land. I believe these lessons stand true for anyone who wants to win in 2012.
Provisions. Joshua’s mandate was to move the people to the Promised Land. In that regard, he commanded them to prepare provisions for themselves (v.11.) Provisions represent necessities and requirements. What it means to prepare provisions is to count the cost of your journey in 2012 based on what youwant to achieve. It’sseeing the end from the beginning. It’s imagination! Probably you are seeing having GH¢2,000 or more sitting in your account by the end of 2012. Your provisions may be to increase your streams of income, having a well-developedbudget and sticking to it and dealing with little foxes that make you spend on impulse. It may also mean acquiring new skills or knowledge. If you don’t prepare, you’ll be overwhelmed by opportunities.
Timing. Every take off is tied to timing. You may have the best provisions but without linkingthem to timing, you will miss lifetime opportunities. Joshua understood timing. He told them to prepare for “Within three days”(v. 11.) they will take off. Leaders know that the wrong action at the wrong time leads to disaster but the right action at the right time results in success. You’vegot to discern the timing and season for yourself. The year 2012 is not merely about getting an additional age. It is certainly not just about Ghana’s elections. It is about the next level of your life. This is an opportunity to make your life count.
Action. Opportunities are equal to all but response varies.It is not enough to understand the times we live in. The difference between a dreamer and an achiever is action. Joshua loved actions which createdmomentum. His instruction was clear: “You will cross over this Jordan” (v. 11.) Action backed by faith works the impossible. Cultivate a courageous attitude to act in the face of fear of failure. John C. Maxwell said that, “People’s lives change when they change something they do every day.” Actions speak louder than intentions.
Possession. The last factor in your bid to prepare to advance in 2012 is to develop the spirit of possession. At the end of 2012 you want to see marked improvement in your life and draw closer to your purpose in life. This necessitates results.“Go in to possess the land” (v. 11.) was what Joshua told the people in order to gain victory. The clearest illustration to this point is with regards to football meets.At the end of every match, the oftenasked question is: ‘Who won?’ Not, ‘who played well?’ Strive to possess your ultimate vision for 2012. The saying is true that well done is better than well said.
There you have the four tips to put at the back of your mind when preparing to advance in 2012. You might have missed opportunities in 2011. You might have accruedfailures which are luring you to embrace despair in the coming year. Don’t give up! I wrotethis piece to let you know only one thing: If there is life, there is hope. Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said that, “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.” This is not about your past but your future. Season’s Greetings!
