A Time Not To Preach?

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.                         2 Tim 4:2 
 
I must, first of all, confess that to me, this is a tough cookie to bite. However, it is the word of almighty God, and he tells us to keep the perspective at all times. Not so much 24/7, as times in our lives.

Some definitions of "preach":

1: to deliver a sermon

2: to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action

(Merriam-Webster)

 

"Preach" redirects here. Preach may also refer to Proselytism or Evangelism.

A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts. Elements of preaching include exposition, exhortation and practical application.

Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sermon

 

"Correct" - obviously, something that we see that is wrong.

"Rebuke" - a person that is in the wrong, for the action that is wrong. With great patience and careful instruction, right?

"Encourage" - (insert your own definition here, but please make sure it goes beyond writing cards, and deeper than telling people "you're awesome")

But I would like to focus though on the seasons. The wise Ecclesiastes says:

 

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,    a time for war and a time for peace. 

 Eccl 3:1-8

 

There IS a time for everything, even a time to shut up (v.7), to get some sleep, to listen, but there is never, ever, ever, ever, EVER a time to forget the love of our God, or not preach it.

All things come in seasons and they change and turn, but God's love endures forever.

Back to 2 Timothy. 

"In season" would be:

• when people are open to hear about the hoplesness of their lost lives and hope in Christ
• when brothers and sisters understand us, and appreciate and acknowledge our work
• when professors remember us for great participation
• when bosses give us a respectful look, making a mental note that they have witnessed a good worker
• when best friend /boyfriend /husband is open with us and holds nothing back, but trusts us with the innermost insecurities, and we can assure her/ him of what a great person she/ he is
• when it's sunny but not too hot to go to the city and invite some people to the Bible discussion
• when you drive through the center and God blesses you with a crazy green wave
• when your daddy's rich and your mama's goodlookin' =)
• when God's blessings are just too obvious to hide

 "Out of season" on the other hand...

• when the person you've been reaching out to has been avoiding your calls for days and finally says that she/he is not interested in God
• when brothers and sisters give us a rushed advice before hearing us out and offering compassion
• when professor can't remember why he gave us such a low grade 
• when boss is so stressed she/he makes everybody nervous - on continual basis
• when best friend is just a little weird and claims "it's nothing"
• when you've decided to go invite some people, but it's raining
• when this brother just stops emailing (or, you find out on Facebook that he's dating!)
• when you start the day realizing you're out of toothpaste, and finish it crying yourself to sleep, just because there has been too many little things that went wrong
• when you really want to believe God is good, but for some reason He hasn't been answering our prayers, at least not in a way that is obvious to us
• when you wanted, but...
• when you needed, but...
• when you knew, but...
• ...

In season, AND out of season, my sisters. When things are going so amazingly well, it's easy to just go with the flow, drift on gratitude, away from the spiritual battle. 

But perhaps is the "out of season" just a little more demanding. When we don't understand why God would allow this difficult situation in our lives, it's hard to focus on anything else.

 

But dear, young Timothy, you be ready no matter what. God has always been there for you. He has loved you since before you were born. He loved you when you rejected Him. And He loves you still. Love Him back. When life gets tough, find comfort in sacred service you have been called to - loving people. It's ok if you're sometimes tired. In those times, you can give less, maybe more quietly, for there is time for everything. But it is always a time for knowing God; to preach the Gospel, in attitudes, words and actions.

• Is "preaching the gospel" another task in your life, or a constant that brings you balance?
• What does bring you balance?
• Do you have a reserve of "patience and careful instruction" available for the "out of season" times?