To Properly Perform An Action, Prior Planning & Preparation Is Required

Word-of-the-Day: ‘(24) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (25) Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (26) Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. (27) No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.’ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Over this last weekend, there was an unfortunate tragedy in Idaho involving a shooter at a fast-food restaurant, who killed three people and injured seven others.  However, his rampage, which could have been worse, was thwarted by an armed civilian who saw the situation unfold before him and acted accordingly to stop the shooter, and successfully did so, causing the shooter to divert his attention, move away, and eventually killed himself.

The details are still coming out and why the shooter lashed out in such a violent way is being determined, but the motive of the armed civilian was captured in an interview soon after the episode ended.  The gentleman referred to his repeated practice in using his firearm, and using a military training tool, the OODA Loop.  OODA is an anacronym that stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act.  It originally was developed by the US Air Force for fighter pilots, but eventually was adopted by all branches of the military for developing a mindset to use in the chaotic environment of the ever-changing patterns found in conflict.

I often use the phrase that has become somewhat of a mantra, BE PREPARED, BE AWARE, PLAN ACCORDLINGLY.  This is to help develop a long-range outlook of our current secular world, looking at the events that are happening today, what is creeping into our society and preparing ourselves as Christians and as citizens on what we perceive could happen. 

This is to mitigate future events by perceiving what could happen through preparations and planning.  Hurricanes here in Florida are always potential, for example, so we need to prepare (extra food and water, steps to secure our homes from strong winds, having a generator if the power is out for an extended period), and plan the steps needed when the threat of a hurricane is imminent (put the window panels up, ensure the generator is accessible and ready, put loose items in the lawn into the garage, move the cars close to the house) so nothing is forgotten or left to chance.

The OODA loop is a more detailed, ‘on-the-spot’, version of this, and can be part of the broader ‘Preparation’ and ‘Planning’.  Observe is being aware of your surroundings and noting what is occurring around you, and recognize what is a threat and what isn’t.  Orient to place yourself in the best possible position to respond.  Decide what your next course of action is (stay, go, or respond to the threat), then Act upon your decision.  Much of this is the mental preparation as it is the physical preparation in a given situation. 

While the OODA loop was developed for the military to respond in combat, it about has been adapted in the corporate environment, as there is chaos in the business environment.  Seeing opportunities and threats in one’s business, using the OODA loop allows a rapid response in an attempt to keep businesses one step ahead of its competition.

We can even use this in our Christian walk.  Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, writes of having self-discipline, ensuring we prepare ourselves to act accordingly for the cause of Christ and His Gospel.  He uses the example of a competitor in a foot race, perhaps a sprinter, or someone running a marathon.  Someone who prepares themselves, by practicing and perhaps working on developing efficiencies and strategies on how to run, will have a better chance at winning the race over someone who doesn’t practice or plan their steps. 

I don’t run anymore, so if I were to race someone in a marathon who does go for regular jogs, they would of course be the one who would win easily (while I would likely have people standing over me, possibly with a portable defibrillator in hand, yelling ‘man down!’ after I made it about ten yards or so from the starting gate).

But a foot race is not as important as the race we all face in the timespan of our life.  For the Christian, we have from the time we accept Jesus as our Lord until we take our final breath to make disciples and share the Word of the Lord to others.  How well we do in our obedience to Jesus depends on how well we prepare ourselves, how we make ourselves aware of the opportunities we have, and the execution of any plans regarding our own personal outreach ministry that the Lord lays upon our hearts. 

Paul’s statement is one of imploring us to be prepared; our race is not prepared through jogging, but through the study of Scripture, and through the building up of the relationship of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us to follow His guidance.  It should not be occasional but deliberate and ongoing.  It is staying in the Word, and following the Word – to be a living example of Jesus.  We sometimes see people who speak about Jesus, but don’t live out their lives in obeying Him; they choose not to be a servant to Him as Paul provides will disqualify their testimony in verse 27.

It is through continued preparation by immersing ourselves in His Word, aware of our actions needing to be in accordance to His Word, and planning on how we are to use our time, treasures, and talents to deliberately live out and share His Word that will win the race.  We need to be prepared to invoke the OODA loop when we need to act in His Word, Observing those around us in a given situation or environment, Orient ourselves through our knowledge of the Scripture and our talents, then Decide if, when, how we should Act in providing the Gospel message, and then Act accordingly.

It takes practice and preparation in all three realms we exist in; physically, mentally, and Spiritually.  It is a commitment to train and prepare for those moments when we must act or we will lose an opportunity to make a difference that, as in the case of the armed civilian can mean providing opportunity for someone to live or condemn someone to death; to hear the Word and choose the path of life-saving Salvation, or missing out and condemning a person to an eternity of torment through their permanent separation from God.  It’s that important to be prepared, be aware, and plan accordingly.