“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
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When 44-year-old J.D. Scholten went to work as an Iowa State representative one morning, he never could have expected what the day would hold for him. It was just another day until his longtime friend, Steve Montgomery, called, needing his help immediately! Steve coaches for the American Association Sioux City Explorers baseball team, and had run into a desperate situation: He had used 10 pitchers in the last two days and that left him without a starter for that night’s game. His only choice? Call up his friend J.D., ask him to dust off his glove and come give him some help.
Because he was busy doing state business, Scholten didn’t get Montgomery’s calls right away (yes, he’d made 10 of them!). By the time he called Steve back, he only had about three hours to prepare for the game. J.D. had played college ball for the University of Nebraska and had even played for Sioux City. But his last professional game was 17 years ago! Yet, he had stayed in good enough shape and kept up his skills — at least enough that he felt able to fill in for his friend and the team. With not much time to warm up and prepare, J.D. took to the mound. What happened next was nothing short of inspirational. Over 6.2 innings, Scholten made 100 pitches (65 of them strikes), and gave up just two runs on two hits, one walk and two strikeouts. Sioux City went on to win the game 11-2.
This story reminded me so much of the necessity of preparation. Watch any elite athlete, or even someone in the military, who understands the possibility of activation at any point, and they will usually take their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual preparation seriously. They know that to show up unprepared is to weaken their chances at success. But when it comes to our walk with Christ, how much value are we placing on our preparation? Are we taking our relationship with Him seriously, so that when He places us in a position of influence for His Kingdom, we are ready to go?
Sometimes I think we miss the fact that doing life God’s way is so active and participatory. He is inviting us to be a part of His ongoing redemptive purposes in the world! This means that we need to be doing the things that grow and shape and prepare us for whatever assignments He may give to us in that plan. Are we prepared in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2, above)? Are we eliminating distractions that hold us back? Are we ready to give an answer when someone asks us why we believe in and follow Christ (1 Peter 3:15)?
Perhaps our mission for the day may not be with only three hours notice, like J.D. Scholten. But if we are attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, God will give us directives and ask for our participation in what He’s up to. We serve a God who is always on the move, and we need to prepare ourselves so that we can serve and obey Him wherever and whenever He needs us.
— Katherine Singer
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