Be ready. Two simple and yet very powerful words. There are plenty of things to “be ready” for in this life. We have to be ready to fulfill the commitments we make, be ready to have dinner prepared, be ready to go to work each day, be ready to take a vacation. Really most things that we do, whether simple or complex, require us to be ready…to be prepared, have our head in the game, and to have made appropriate accommodations. Most of us take actions to be ready on a daily basis without much thought. Some of us get an unseemly amount of joy from being ready. For some, it’s more difficult than others to plan ahead. Sometimes that’s ok, and other times it means things fall apart. Really it depends on the thing you are trying to be ready for!
. . . preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:2
However, when Paul uses these two simple words they are toward a task of utmost importance. He’s reminding Timothy of the necessity of being prepared to preach the Word—encouraging, rebuking, and teaching those around him. Paul had spent decades in selfless ministry and service. He had seen the best and the worst of people. He had lived through seasons of happiness and seasons of sorrow. And he learned to count it all joy. If we are ready for nothing else, let us be ready to serve our God and to preach His Word joyfully, following Paul’s example of steadfast endurance and preparedness. Maybe we need to take a minute and ask ourselves if we are ready. Are we ready to encourage our brothers and sisters? Are we ready to hold one another accountable? Are we ready to make disciples?
VC Devotionals 