Out of season is not just a wardrobe issue…

• 2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) Be ready in season and out of season.

I know – it’s tough enough just being ready on Sunday but Paul reminds us that we also have to be ready “out of season.” 

Being a preacher and/or teacher is more than a position or a job; it is a vocation.  What I mean by this is that the people whom you serve will use the word “my” when they think of you.   

For example, when they refer to you they will say things like: “My pastor said…” or “My Sunday School teacher taught…” 

The good news is that this allows you the wonderful privilege of having a tremendous influence (hopefully for the good) in their lives. The bad news is that you do not have the luxury of just ministering to them when you are ready or when you are standing behind your pulpit; you’ve got to be ready to minister to the people you serve “in season and out of season.”  On any given day you will get an email or phone call or meet someone at the grocery store who will ask you for advice about something that you’ve never even thought of more less studied.   

So how do you do this?   

• First: you do this by faithfully growing in your own Christian faith.  Remember, you are not just preparing lessons and sermons; you are preparing yourself.  As you do that you will develop a deep reservoir of wisdom and experiences that you can draw upon when you’re put on the spot with short notice.  (In other words, with each passing year of ministry you’re become better and better at being instant out of season.) 
• Second: you do this by staying current in you devotional walk with God.  There is a world of difference between being instant out of season when you are filled with the Spirit.   
• Third: Jump in.  What I mean by this is that when you’re asked your opinion – breathe a quick prayer to God for wisdom – and then dare to give an answer.  It is amazing how God will use you if you’re just dare try. 

And here’s the good news: whatever you say most people will not listen; they just needed assurance and comfort and sometimes that can’t wait until Sunday.  I call that job security – if people really took to heart what we taught we’d all be out of business in a few months.  I mean, how many ways can you say, “Trust and obey God”? 🙂 

And by the way, occasionally you’re hit a homerun: someone will actually heed your advice and due to God’s anointing on your life, their lives will be forever changed; when that happens, you’ll be ever so glad that you were “instant in season and out of season.”