How to Get Your Spiritual Ducks in a Row

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 2 Peter 3:10-12

My job as a specialist is to help people manage a specific process. The often-complex procedure can easily overwhelm and frustrate. As my clients prepare for their upcoming appointments, they need to be organized. This is where I come in. So often in my workday, I have a call that begins with….”I just need to make sure I have all my ducks in a row.” My clients ask for help making sure the proper paperwork is ready and they understand the information they will be explaining to their clients.

Get your ducks in a row: to be well prepared or well organized for something that is going to happen. – The Cambridge Dictionary

The origins of this common phrase are murky. Some theories involve bowling pins, pool balls, actual ducks, and a Steven King novel. But today we are going to coin a new version of the phrase, that to the best of my knowledge is my original turn of words. We are going to dive into what it looks like to have your spiritual ducks in a row.

For what are we preparing?

Lying awake at night, pondering the current situation (COVID 19), I cannot help but wonder if we are in the end days. I am sure people of past generations have had such sleepless nights and wondering thoughts also. Has there been a time when the world was not in turmoil?

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:7-9

We are preparing for end times, just as our parents, our grandparents, and our great grandparents have done. We, too, must remain vigilant in getting our spiritual ducks in a row, so we are prepared when the day does indeed dawn.

How to Live a Prepared Life Without Wandering Ducks

I don’t know about you, but I love a good list. I have lists of my favorite books, what to watch next on Netflix, and best websites in my planner right now. Peter has also prepared a list for us. A list of what we can do today to prepare for our eternity. Let’s take a look at his list:

• We are to live holy and godly lives. In 1 Peter 1:13-16, we are instructed to remain sober and alert, be obedient to God’s commands, make sure we are not conforming to the evil desires of our younger days, and be holy, because God is holy.
• Don’t invest all your resources in the here and now. We should spend more time and resources on developing a Christlike character than collecting stuff to live comfortably now with no regard for what lies ahead. After all, your stuff is just going to melt in the fires of destruction. (Given the number of candles I own, at least it might smell good.)
• So then dear friends, don’t become lazy or unkempt. Are you ready to stand before our Savior, spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him? I don’t want Jesus to come back to earth and catch me doing something I should not be doing. Living each day as if it was going to be the day Jesus returns, that is how we live at peace with Him. But when we fail, as we most certainly will, we can unburden our hearts through repentance and lean into the forgiveness of our sins purchased in the blood of Christ.
• Do not abuse God’s grace. I have heard people say such things as I do not have to…tithe, read the Bible, go to church, pray, ect…to be a Christian. But to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we must pursue the spiritual disciplines somehow. It just so happens we grow in grace and knowledge by these exact means. I continue to attempt all of these, not that I am even close to perfect in these areas, but my heart is sold out to God and living for His glory, now and forever!

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

How are your ducks looking?

I pray that you have a desire to know God better each day, to fall more in love with Him with every sunset and sunrise, and to draw closer to Him with each breath you take. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey today, you can stand prepared and organized on the last day by finding a way to know Him better every day. You will have your spiritual ducks in a row.

Heavenly Father, we desire to grow in grace and knowledge of you, so when the day arrives for you to come back for us, we are prepared and ready to go. We long for an eternity spent with you and endure patiently until that day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.