In many churches today, the music is presented by a praise band instead of piano, organ, choir, and perhaps an orchestra. Praise music is rather different than hymns. For one thing, chord charts are often used instead of written out specific notes. This has been difficult for me to switch to, after having a classical piano background, where precision of notes is expected. But chord charts do allow so much more flexibility! Especially on cello, I can choose which notes in the chord to play, changing things up from verse to chorus to verse. But this is true only as long as I have a solid background of preparation to know which notes are in the chord in the first place.
Whether playing jazz or praise songs, preparation and flexibility are not contradictory, and they are not contradictory in our Christian life either. I believe God’s idea of preparation is more along the lines of having a solid foundation, and is less about physical items and more about spiritual items. We probably shouldn’t just fling ourselves out into the world, without a single thought beforehand of preparation. We should ensure that we have the spiritual foundation to follow where the Holy Spirit leads us.
The ultimate story of preparation is Noah, when he prepared for an earth-changing flood by spending long hours building an ark to God’s specifications. He wasn’t exactly sure what was coming, but he followed the prompting of God to make sure he was ready for anything. In the verses below, Jesus compares the time of Noah with the time when He will come again. Are you ready?
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
Matthew 24:44-46