How blessed is the man who does not walk in the advice of the wicked, who does not stand on the path with sinners, and who does not sit in a meeting with mockers.  But his delight is in the teaching of the Lord, and on his teaching he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, and its leaves do not wither.  Everything he does prospers. – Psalm 1:1-3

Queen Elizabeth’s passing has thrust the royal family back into the spotlight once again.  But even when the royal family isn’t making headlines, there still is a preoccupation with royalty.  Disney has a whole line of princesses (and to a lesser degree, princes) that you can choose from.  They’re not alone.  How many movies, fairy tales, or Hallmark specials can you think of involving royalty?  Viewers, it seems, aren’t just interested in watching the kings and princesses.  They’re dreaming about what life would be like as royalty. They wonder how it would feel to wear the crown, live in the castle, and have everyone’s attention. 

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not abandon you, and I will not forsake you." (Joshua 1:5)

“Then you will have honor in the presence of all who are reclining at the table with you.” Luke 14:10

“In keeping with the grace of God given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. But let each person be careful how he builds on it.  In fact, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  (1 Corinthians 3:10-11)

If you’re anything like me, you don’t like to jump into things.  Before I start, I want a clear picture of what I’m supposed to do but also need to know how I might address any problems that come up.  I want to be as prepared as possible.  Many times this means that I’m fairly well prepared for whatever I’m doing.  Other times, this means that I never actually get around to doing what needs to get done.  There’s a time to be prepared, and there’s a time to get to work.  Go to either extreme and you’ll find problems.  This is even true in the church.  As we look to the future we need to remember to both get ready and then get busy.