A Path Among the Rocks

“….be ready in season and out of season….”

2 Timothy 4:2(a)

My grandsons love trains. We have a wooden track set, and one of their new favorite accessories is called the “Collapsing Bridge.” You can push a button and the bridge will collapse, and it’s especially fun if the bridge has collapsed and your train is still coming down the tracks toward it. My 3-year old likes to yell at the top of his lungs “Oh no! Collapsing Bridge! Collapsing Bridge!”

Wouldn’t it be great if those things in life that are powerful enough to derail us came with flashing lights and a sign that says “Derailment Ahead!!” Things don’t always go like we planned or assumed they would, and most of the time we have little to no advance warning or preparation time for whatever is coming our way.  Normally, this would be where l would provide examples, but I sense that you know exactly what your derailment event is, so there’s no need for me to add anything to what’s already in your heart.

Our verse today tells us that we should be ready (or prepared), whether the time is right or not, whether your plans are going as you thought or not, whether you stand alone or not; or whether life is fair or not.  We are called to be prepared to share the Word of God and the love of Jesus, even when things are at their worst in our own lives.  That’s easier said than done because it’s hard to keep your wits about you in the midst of a derailment event. 

The full verse of 2 Timothy 4:2 says this: “preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

In reading this verse, the word that jumped out at me the most is patience.  In order to have patience with any situation, circumstance or people, you must have (and maintain) the right frame of mind and attitude of the heart.  I am so thankful that God gives us divine patience as a fruit of the Holy Spirit so that we can call upon that divine power to help us in our time of need (Galatians 5:22-23).  The word for patience in Greek is “makrothymia” and it means to “endure, be steadfast, persevere.”  Patient endurance allows us to maintain a clear mind and a view that says that whether the time is right or the feeling is good in our own heart, people need the Word of God and the love and concern of Jesus with consistency.  We have an obligation to our Lord to make sure that we are prepared to represent Him in all situations, even if your bridge has just collapsed. Sometimes, our call to faith is in the darkest night of our own souls. It’s a lifeline to know that His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9) when we are at our weakest.

But we must be careful. When things are at their worst, we must guard our hearts and not allow a heart of stone to replace our hearts of flesh.  If we allow a heart of stone to creep in, then it’s quite impossible to hear, move or act when the Lord speaks.  And perhaps someone desperately needs to hear what you have to say. Maybe you and I need to hear the Word ourselves. Work hard to keep your heart open to receive it.

Just because you’ve experienced this derailment, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t building a new track and a new bridge to take you in a new direction.  Perhaps it’s a life changing step that you’ll be taking and this derailment is actually part of that plan.  If the path you are on right now is one that you are walking alone, be encouraged.  God’s plans for us are good, and His plan never fails.  He is walking beside you, ready to take the burden you are carrying. 

Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24

The Lord already hears the cry of our hearts before we form the words in prayer That’s comforting. If this finds you in a place of the “in between” with a collapsing bridge behind you and a new one not yet built, I would encourage you to have patience; seek the Lord’s face; continually ask Him for wisdom and clarity and to increase your faith – and your patience – until the way is clear. 

The Bible calls us to cast our burdens and cares on the Lord because He cares for us – all of us.  And He will sustain you regardless of which side of the collapsing bridge you stand on. 

Proactive Verse:  Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Defensive Verse:  1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.