iShineInMinistry

2 Timothy 4:2 (NET)

Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

I love this instruction in the bible because it shows us that we need to always have our mind on things above, whether or not it is a church-service day, retreat weekend or random Saturday at the salon! Sometimes we get in the habit of "turning on" and "turning off" when we work in full-time ministry, forgetting that our calling is not only contained in the walls of our church or ministry building. Let's look at this scripture and make sure we are obediently following it as we worship the Lord in every area of our lives!

We need to always be ready first off...even when it is not convenient for us. Inconvenient means times when we are at the super market trying to get dinner for the night last minute or when we are out getting a latte at the coffee shop and someone "accidentally" cuts us in line...or when we are at our friend's house just talking about nothing in particular. God can use whatever instance He wants, so we must not limit His timing and plans with the confines of our timing and plans.

We must be ready to help someone through patience and instruction in the "fun parts" and "not-so-fun parts". Sometimes we get exhort and encourage; but sometimes we have to graciously correct too. No matter what the case and the response, we must remember to be patient and helpful. When we exhort and pride begins to rear its ugly head, we need to graciously instruct.  When we have to rebuke someone that does not have a teachable spirit, we also get to graciously instruct. How do we do this?

We prepare our hearts, stay filled with the Holy Spirit and make ourselves ready, allowing ourselves to be rebuked, reproved and exhorted as God reveals areas in our lives that need to be worked on. We have to make sure we are in the right place first before we can really do this in a way that patiently instructs, rather than harshly criticizes and tears down. Let us make sure that we get ourselves ready, tell ourselves it is always convenient because it is priority and have a heart of humility so that the Lord can effectively use us, in the church and wherever else we go!

Matthew 5:16 (HCSB)

In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.