Be Prepared

Okay. You know your target. You’ve gathered your allies. Surely you are finally ready to enter the enemy’s territory.

Or are you?

Where’s your gear? What’s your plan? Which road will you follow? Where are the escape routes?

If you are already scratching your head, then how much easier will it be to confuse you when in the midst of unfamiliar territory? So just like those old Mission: Impossible television shows, take a breath and make sure you’re prepared for the challenges that lie ahead:

1. Gather information. More than likely, you aren’t the first to spy out this land. Therefore, take some time to find out what other reliable sources are saying (e.g. Plugged-In Online or Movie Guide). They can often provide tips about the lay of the land (overall impressions of a work), the enemy’s mindset (what lies are being told/how are they being propagated?), and possible traps you might encounter.

2. Arm yourself. When the enemy is threatened, he will attack, and getting yourself injured will help no one. So make sure to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).

3. Formulate a plan of action. You have a target, but how do you plan to get there? Are you reading the book in one sitting or over many days? Should you see the movie in theater or wait for it to release on DVD? Will you read the book alone, jotting notes for later analysis, or will you watch that rental with a friend so you can pause and discuss as you go?

All this probably sounds complicated and like a lot of work. But it’s worth it. So check your gear and plot your course. When you get to the other side, you’ll be glad you did.