-Strength for Today- "Standing Ready for God." - 2 Timothy 4:2
An apple tree stands barren during its “off season”, but when it’s time to bear its fruit, it does, because it “stood ready”, in and out of its season. Unbelievers have a right to ask us:
· What we believe and
· Why we believe it.
And with their questioning, we have the responsibility to provide them with sound reasons.
Many of us suffer from the unbalanced tendency to “be ready” only “out of season.” But verse 2 tells us that regardless of where we are:
· We must take a firm stand, with a
· Strong determination
To stay at our post, regardless of whether times are “good” or “bad”, because wherever you are “that’s your post”, and “your place of responsibility.” So dig in, take a firm stand, and determine that you’re going to be faithful!” Unlike the “apple tree,” the word “season” here does not refer to “time”; but is a reference to you and me. to us. This verse says, “Preach the Word and be ready in season and out of season.” In other words, we are to “stand ready” because the proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.
This is one of the worse traps that a Christian worker can fall into, and that is to become obsessed with his or her own exceptional moments of inspiration. Because when the Holy Spirit gives you “insight,” your tendency is to say, “Now that I’ve experienced this moment, I’ll always be like this, that is “on the mountain top for God.” But no you’ll not, and God will make sure of that, because such times are entirely the gift of God. Those times are entirely the gift of God. Because on our own, we’ll never do anything unless the Holy Spirit keeps us “consciously aware” of His inspiration to you at all times.
In other words, we can’t give ourselves “inspirational moments” when we choose. And if we make a “god” out of our best moments, we’re “grieving the Holy Spirit, and God’s purposeful intent will fade out of our lives:
· Never to return until
· We’re obedient
To the work that He has placed closest to us, and until we’ve learned not to be obsessed with those exceptional moments He has given us. Just remember that Jesus is with you my friend, He’ll give you all the strength you need to stand tall and remain faithful. He’ll do His part, but only you and me can do our part. What’s our part? Making the choice to stay faithful to our post!
Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD
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