II Timothy III
…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (II Timothy 4:2 ESV)
Always
We do not plant flowers in January. That would be planting out of season.
When I was growing up, my mom would take us clothes shopping at the end of August. Just in time for school to start. We did not generally buy new clothes in February. That would be out of season.
I do not usually start watching a movie at 11:00 pm. That would be out of season.
I rarely make a tasty unhealthy snack at 11:55 am. That would be out of season.
But Christians preach the Word of God w seems like a good time, or not. Whether our desires, energy, and perceived opportunities make us say, “NOW” or not.
Whether it is the time that seems right to us… in season… or not… out of season.
And preaching the word does not only mean speaking words. It is always the right season for gospel-ing through acts of kindness, through forgiveness, through patience, through generosity, through protecting the defenseless, through copying Jesus, through smiling warmly often, through remembering the richness of God’s Grace to us... and acting graciously, too.
In season or out of season.