The Weekly Encourager - January 28, 2011 - In Season and Out
"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." - 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) (italics mine)
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) (italics mine)
"We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) (italics mine)
A quilting friend, whom I had not heard from in years, left a phone message that she was downsizing her quilting and wanted to "pick my brain" a bit. Since I give a lecture and workshop called "Get Organized!" I assumed that she wanted me to come over and help her clean out and arrange her sewing room, and possibly some other areas in her house, which I do for a fee. But when I returned the call I learned that she's dropped out of our quilt guild because she's been caring for family members with serious illnesses, and now she herself has cancer. She has realized that now that she won't be able to do many of the projects she once envisioned, so she wanted to give me some large pieces of fabric for backing quilts. When I gently inquired why she chose me for this generous gift instead of closer friends in her bee, she said she found a card I had sent her with encouragement in the Lord! Then she said she wasn't doing so well in the faith department.
I was amazed since I don't even remember sending her a card, and I was surprised she kept it so long. She was someone I didn't know well but wanted to know better if there was opportunity. But here's the point: there was a clear opening for me to say something to "encourage the fainthearted," but I just came out with a couple of platitudes off the top of my head. When I hung up I felt so convicted. One obvious lesson is that one little card can mean a lot to someone, so I ought to be sending more cards, but the bigger lesson for me is that I wasn't ready "in season and out." I was prepared to advise her about storage needs, but not about spiritual needs!
So many around me are going through difficult times: cancer, marriage problems, joblessness, loss of loved ones, despair. I'm concerned for these dear people, and I wish I could shoo their problems away. Yet I've been through some of these same challenges myself, and I felt the Lord strengthen my faith during those times, by His Spirit within me. I have seen that suffering is one of the principal tools God uses to mold us into a reflection of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. He suffered unto death because of His great love for us. He never promised us a rose garden, but we have all the promises in Christ because He rose!
How thankful I should be that God is with me in all the heartbreaks of life, that He chose me to belong to His dear family, that I have the hope of eternal life. This life on earth is a vale of tears; I'm ready to go any time. We had a serious snowstorm on Wednesday, leading to many accidents on the road, but my family all made it home safely, thanks be to God. That same day, a distant young cousin of mine died in a car crash, and I don't know her spiritual condition. Was she ready to meet the Lord? If she had called me out of the blue, would I have been ready to tell her about the Lord Jesus and His sure salvation? Would I have been ready with spiritual encouragement if she needed it? Why did she die, and not my sons?
I don't have answers to all the questions, but I know this: "life is not a snapshot;" we sometimes have to be patient to see the bigger picture. God works all things for good. He is faithful and true and worthy of my trust, no matter what happens.
Be ready in season and out.
j
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Copyright 2011 Janet A. Marney