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Staying on the Edge
2 Timothy 4:2 'Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction.' (NIV)
 This is one of Paul's greatest instructions to his beloved son in the faith and fellow minister, Timothy. The word we translate 'prepared' here means, literally, to be 'present', be 'at hand', or in modern terms, to be 'on the cutting-edge'. It means to be standing by, ready for action at any time, in any circumstance. It means that we are awake and fully alert so that we can handle whatever comes our way. It means that we don't leave the playing field before the game has ended. Paul knew that there are seasons in life: there at times when we seem to get immediate results from our witness for the Lord and there are other times when our fruit seems slow to arrive. Let's face it, no matter how good we are at sharing our faith with others we all feel sometimes as if we're speaking into the air. We wonder if anybody will ever respond to the word we're preaching. That is what Paul calls being 'out of season'. It's like being in the team rooms halfway through a football match, a match our team is losing. We know we are playing well, but the results just aren't there. Do we give up and go home? No, we make sure we are 'present' for the next half. Things will change; we just need to keep doing the things we know will work. It happens to all of us from time to time. There is no point getting too analytical about it, seasons are just a fact of life. Our job is not to understand the seasons, but to be prepared, to be 'at hand' and ready for action whatever the circumstance. Paul knew that Timothy would need to exercise 'great patience' in his sharing of God's word, he would need to show great care in giving instruction, because the results would not always be immediate. The word you preach, the message about Jesus, will never lose its awesome power. Sometimes, when you feel that the season is against you, the word is going deep into people's lives, burrowing deep into their soul and preparing to germinate over time. At other times, there seems to be an instant result. Your part is simply to stay ready for action with God's word whatever the season you are in. Don't stop sharing the word of God with others even if it seems the results are slow to come. There is one thing you must remember about seasons: all seasons end sometime!
Prayer: 'Lord, help me to be ready for action with the word of God at any time, even when results seem slow to come. I want to be standing by, prepared for the challenge whether I feel like I am "in season" or "out of season".'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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Mal, you've totally inspired me to be more active about the media world I'm in. I'm trying to find more ways to use my media skills to help people meet God. It's people like you that have been the spark to start this explosion. Thank you, I'm in ranks with you...
Isaac, United Kingdom
I really appreciate this ministry! I think you are a very important tool in the world today & for Christians. I'm so encouraged by the teaching!!
Jonas Päivärinta
I often check out your recommended reading section, which includes some excellent books. There's a new title which I highly recommend: 'Simply Christian' by N.T. (Tom) Wright (Bishop of Durham)...
Ann, Australia
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