The Dawn Of All

Chapter 1.10

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." 

Joshua 3:5

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The small farmhouse sat on the edge of a vast, open field, where the winds whispered and the skies stretched endlessly above. Judy Ann and her teenage daughter, Chelsea, lived here, surrounded by quiet hills and the warm glow of nature. 

One morning, Judy Ann was preparing breakfast in their small kitchen. Chelsea walked in, her face flushed with excitement.

"Mom, the church announced a big gathering this weekend! They say it's going to be something amazing—people are coming from all over the county," Chelsea said, her eyes wide with excitement.

Judy Ann smiled, setting down her spoon. "I heard about it, too. They're calling it a day of prayer and consecration."

Chelsea tilted her head, curious. "Consecration... that's a word I don't hear every day. What does it mean, Mom? "

Judy Ann took a deep breath, thinking. "Consecration means to dedicate or set ourselves apart for something special, something that has purpose and meaning. It's a way of preparing ourselves so we can be close to God and receive what He wants to give us."

Chelsea considered this, her youthful face thoughtful. "Why do we need to prepare ourselves, though? Can't we just show up and pray? "

Judy Ann smiled, brushing stray hair back from Chelsea's face. "We can pray anytime, of course. But when we consecrate ourselves, it's like preparing our hearts to welcome something extraordinary. It's like when we're getting ready for a guest; we clean the house and make everything beautiful, right? That's what consecration is—it's cleaning our hearts and minds so that God can do amazing things in us and through us."

Chelsea nodded slowly. "So, it's not just about showing up—it's about being ready for something big."

"Exactly," Judy Ann replied. "Sometimes, we don't see the amazing things God has in store for us because we're distracted or our hearts aren't in the right place. When we prepare ourselves, it's like telling God, I'm ready, and I want to be a part of what You're doing."

Chelsea looked down at her hands, reflecting on her mother's words. "What kind of amazing things do you think God might do, Mom? "

Judy Ann thought for a moment. "It could be anything. Sometimes, it's a blessing, like peace or clarity in a difficult time. Other times, it's an opportunity to help someone or a chance to make a difference. When we set our hearts on Him, we're opening ourselves up to receive whatever He has planned."

For the next few days, Chelsea found herself thinking about her mother's words. She thought about what it meant to prepare her heart and mind and wondered how she could do that. On Friday evening, the day before the gathering, Chelsea came to her mother with a question.

"Mom, how do I consecrate myself? I want to be ready, but I don't know how to start."

Judy Ann smiled gently. "That's a wonderful question, Chelsea. Consecration can look different for everyone. For some, it's spending time in quiet reflection, thinking about anything that might be keeping them from feeling close to God. For others, it's setting aside distractions or asking for forgiveness. For you, maybe it's as simple as spending a few moments in prayer, asking God to help you be open and ready for whatever He has planned."

Chelsea nodded, feeling a sense of purpose. "I think I'll do that. I want to be ready for tomorrow."

The next morning, Chelsea woke up early, her heart full of anticipation. She spent a few quiet moments in her room, saying a small prayer and asking for guidance. She remembered her mother's words about setting her heart and mind in the right place, and she felt a quiet peace settle over her.