Ready In Season and Out of Season

Published by Deborah Negron M.A.

January 21,2020

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 ESV

Are my words seasoned rightly?

Am I one that when others find themselves in need, they would reach out to me for help?

There is nothing worse than tasting what one thinks is supposed to be the most desired and delectable meal only to taste that is has not been properly seasoned. The blandness of the meal then is something one cannot tolerate. One then seeks the salt, the pepper, whatever one can to bring about a desirable flavor.

As believers we are to be ready to give a word in season and out of season. We are to have our words seasoned with the much needed truth of God’s word. We are to be carefully filling our repertoire of knowledge, our library of understanding in order to provide a meal that will be digestible. A meal that brings nourishment and stability is always prepared with care.

So, thinking on this, Is my spiritual cupboard full of the right condiments? Is my knowledge adequate to put together a spiritual meal for someone in need?

Have I sought to shop, to study and to comprehend how God’s word builds up and strengthens the weary heart? Have I the combination of verses prepared for the different instances that can arise in my daily life?

Those I see, those I come across, am I cognizant that my words can be used of God to help comfort, heal, mend and direct the person in need?

Have I become acquainted with the varied scriptures that can edify and cause a person to be impacted by the Word fo God?

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

There is a portion of my relationship with God that requires effort, commitment, willingness and a daily interaction with the Lord. I cannot be ready to help another if I am not prepared. Kindness alone cannot save. Emotions without actions produce nothing. But the compassion for others coupled with a passion for God’s word enables me to be an effective witness of Christ.

Scripture tells us, “What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.” James 2:14‭-‬17

I cannot preach the word or teach the word if my life shows no congruence with the faith I supposedly claim to have.

So, in my daily intake of nourishment for my soul, the routine and genuine practice of reading and studying God’s word is essential. My prayer time and seeking God’s direction is neccessary. My faith walk must be a practical faith walk. I cannot give what I do not have.

Flying out to visit my children this past Christmas, my little girl and I sat in the plane. The announcement came on that we were all to look at the pamphlet found behind each seat and read along. In it were clear instructions that one must follow in the event of an emergency. My little girl seemed more concerned with her window seat than the pamphlet. I cautioned her. “I know you have flown on an airplane many times. Yet each day is a new day. Each trip a different one. We have to be cautious and pay attention. We need to read the instructions and follow them. This may help us save ourselves and someone else in an emergency.

We are to seek to be ready and prepared always to help others, to lead others to Christ or simply to show God’s love to those we come in contact with.

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:2 KJV

My prayer Lord, is that you would teach me to walk carefully. To speak with gentleness. Let my words only bring hope and peace. Close my lips when they need to be shut. Order my steps and equip me to be a vessel for your using. Allow me to be ready to put action to my faith. Legs to my desire and determine to be your hands and feet. Let me shine in such a way others see Jesus. That my Words be the Bread Someone else needs today. That they may nourish a life. May I be one who shows forth a faith that is tangible. This I pray.

Let my words be seasoned with you Word LORD.