Be prepared in season and out of season

Do you ever feel like not doing something...like not studying for finals? I know that this week it has been easy to have that mindset. Or do you ever not do something because you don't feel prepared? For example, I could have started studying for finals a couple of days ago (which I did) but told myself I wasn't prepared to study for them yet because I did not have a study guide made. Make sense? Good.

I am here today to tell you that we should always be ready. We should always be ready to practice what we preach. Heck, God has given you and me everything that we need so we should feel prepared and ready to do whatever it is that He wants us to.

I was encouraged by some scripture in 2 Timothy this evening that I knew I had to share with you.

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 ) 

I was mostly encouraged by the part that says: "be prepared in season and out of season." That is super motivating for me. Whether we think it is time to do something or not, we need to be prepared. I am reminded of the many off seasons I experienced during my basketball career. I have a goal every off season to be in the best shape that I can possibly can be. So that when Fall comes around, and the season starts, I am ready to go. I prepare myself whether it is the season for off season. When I think of a relationship with Christ. I think of the one and off feelings that everyone feels. The "roller coaster" as some might say. Sometimes Jesus just isn't the number one thing in your life. That doesn't mean that you should not be prepared when the time comes. We should always be prepared to preach the word, correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful interaction no matter how you feel. Because trust me, you are not always going to want to encourage someone, or spend time with Jesus, but that doesn't mean you should not be prepared. We should always be prepared.

That verse really encouraged me, to always be prepared. Life is crazy and you never know what is going to happen, so we need to be prepared for everything.

If you don't feel prepared, my hope, my prayer and my encouragement for you is that you begin to ask God to prepare your heart. It's will be a marathon, not a sprint.