Revelation 21:2 English Standard Version (ESV) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Focus for a moment on a bride prepared. Some might want to ask why I would place the preparation of Christ’s bride so early in this salvation story. My training neglected this element and because of that I did not receive a sense of purpose. Training without purpose can be tedious.

We are being prepared throughout life and it takes time for the true purpose to sink into our minds. Without a proper sense of purpose these preparations can feel like punishment. I hated those forced marches in the Army. It was not until I was in combat that I appreciated the training that preparation provided.

Hebrews 1:14 English Standard Version (ESV) Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

While we are here it is for us to gather His bride together, our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is our service to prepare others even as we are being prepared ourselves. We can only achieve that if we keep our purpose in mind. While we have not always thought this way, it is a wonderful condition of the mind that it can be changed if it understands purpose for change.

Romans 12:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The renewed mind leads the transformation.