DAILY DEVOTIONAL – February 2, 2021
“Out of Season”
Prayer: Our Lord and God, you are the Creator of all things. You faithfully bring the seasons of the Earth to care for it and for your people. You have promised not only that the seasons would endure until the end of all things, but that Your presence and grace would also endure with us and for us through every season of our life. We thank you for your faithful mercies that are new every morning. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
Devotional – “Out of Season”
The books of first and second Timothy are not really books at all, but letters written by the Apostle Paul to his young protégé pastor, Timothy. Paul is writing in order to encourage and strengthen Timothy who has been entrusted with the large task of pastoring and overseeing churches that were formed as a result of Paul’s missionary journeys. Paul says to Timothy in one of the most memorable portions of his letters, “be ready in season and out of season.”
Although in the proper context of this letter Paul is addressing the work of preaching and teaching that Timothy has been called to as a pastor of the church, all believers have been called to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ and teach of His work of salvation. God’s Word says to all Christians in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” People often wonder what their purpose is in life. Well, if you are a Christian, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then He just told you what your purpose in life is, no matter what your profession may be. “Proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
All believers are called to know the Word of God and to share the hope and joy of salvation in Christ and in His Word. All believers are called to the work of ministry in their unique callings and contexts; in their homes, in their occupations, amongst their friends and families and with their neighbors. We are all also called to the work of being a disciple and following our Lord Jesus faithfully each and every day. God says in Colossians 3, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
With this in mind, St. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy can be applied to all of us – be ready to work for the Lord, proclaiming His excellencies both “in season and out of season.” Hopefully, you find the same encouragement I do as a pastor in those words of Paul. Let’s face it, sometimes we just don’t feel like we are “in season”. Some days I certainly feel “out of season” coming to church. Some Sundays I feel completely “out of season” in the pulpit. Some days you wake up and feel “out of season” as a disciple and follower of Christ. For any number of reasons, there are those seasons when our Bible seems to way 1,000 pounds and although there is plenty in our life we need to and want to pray about, the words just don’t seem to come to mind. Sometimes, it feels like it would be more convenient not to have to be faithful.
We cannot chase or only engage our faith when we “feel” like we are “in season.” As sinful people, our feelings are not right. The substance of our faith is not found in those mountain top experiences we enjoy. No doubt all of us would love to live and stay in those emotionally high spiritual experiences we are blessed to have. But the reality is, as long as we live in this broken world and with our broken selves, there will be many times we feel spiritually “out of season”. As God’s Word makes clear, there is work to be done, even specific work God has designated for us to do “out of season.” No different than a farmer. The harvest is the high point when things come into their full season. However, that season of celebration and harvest would not exist without first the season of intentional and diligent hard work of plowing, watering and sowing seed.
The Good News is God, in His wonderful mercy, has promised to be with us and lead us and guide us in our work in every season. After all, it isn’t our work to be done anyway, but His work, and God is faithful to accomplish His will and work of salvation in and through us even when we are not “in season.” Believing and trusting in His faithfulness is how we prove fruitful when we feel out of season. As Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
We are but clay in the hands of the potter. If we are too hardened he will soften us up. If we are too soft He will strengthen us. If in our brokenness we are out of season, God is always in season, for as Philippians 2:13 says, “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” If you are “out of season” right now, take comfort in God’s faithfulness and trust that God still holds you close even if you feel far away.
Thanks for joining me for another time of devotion, and remember that God has forgiven yesterday, is with you today and has already taken care of tomorrow. Amen.
