When making pancakes with my kids I’ve had two different experiences. The first is grabbing the ingredients one at a time as I go. This has proved difficult in trying to balance their wants and my ability to make the recipe. The second is grabbing the ingredients and laying them all out before I start. This has proved a much better approach for us all. I have what I need, know where it is, and we can whip through the recipe orderly.

Preparation has a great place in seeking to accomplish tasks. It gets us in the right mind set, slows us down, organizes us, and readies us for unexpected turns.

Next week, April 13–20, marks the time of the year when we celebrate Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday, we remember and celebrate the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. This devotion is a call to prepare for next week. We will be sending out seven devotions from Sunday (4/13) to Sunday (4/20) to encourage a heart engagement with the life and works of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Look for them in your inbox. Take time next week to reflect and abide richly in our Lord. Worship Him to the glory of God the Father in the power of the Spirit.

Here are a few suggestions on how to prepare.

(1) Slow down. Running hard from this week into next will make it difficult to slow down and focus on our Lord Jesus.

(2) Set aside something that unnecessarily takes your time. By setting aside something this week you will be ready to replace it with Holy Week engagement.

(3) Pray. Ask God to work a good work in you during Holy Week.

As one of your pastors, I pray we can engage and experience the Lord in a beautiful, uplifting, and life-changing way during this time.