Not The Season?

Not The Season?

Early on in my walk with Christ I found the passage of the cursed fig tree (Mark 11:12-14) most perplexing. "Now the next day, as they went out from Bethany, he (Jesus) was hungry. After noticing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, he went to see if he could find any fruit on it. When he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

Today’s devotional from Oswald Chambers similarly discusses the topic of “in season” from 1 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Oswald correctly notes that in season “does not refer to time; it refers to us.” He goes on to notes, “This verse says, ‘Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season.’ In other words, we should ‘be ready’ whether we feel like it or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything.”

The corruption of our hearts goes well beyond anything any of us will ever know or imagine. The extent of our depravity is something that God alone knows. If we are even brave enough to look - the occasional glimpses and glances we get into our darkness is readily dismissed, passively justified, or quickly ignored.

Why do our churches split rather than grow in unity in the knowledge and faith of Christ? Because we make church about doctrinal affinity and agreement - not Christ. Because underneath the thin sheen of acceptance and tolerance - we’re ugly and broken.

Why do we help, serve, or volunteer in ministry, but only go “this far?” Because beyond our comfort zone we know ministering to people without limit, hesitation, or reservation is dirty and painful - and we’re not bought into Christ to that extent. Which means we're not bought into Christ at all.

Convenience, excitement, recognition, and appreciation can all become idols of “exceptional moments” in the Christian walk. As Oswald notes, “If you say you will only be at your best for God, as during those exceptional times, you actually become an intolerable burden on Him. You will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously aware of His inspiration to you at all times. If you make a god out of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life, never to return until you are obedient in the work He has placed closest to you..."

Serving Christ means serving His Bride, i.e. the church. Are you serving His Bride in the manner and capacity He gifted and instructed you? If not, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for someone to make you feel good about obedience? Are you waiting for an altar call with trumpets, ribbons, and trophies?

Jesus is our eternal King. It is always the season for figs. There is no “off-season” for His disciples. We are always to be preparing and going, being equipped and equipping, being refined and refining, listening and obeying, being sharpened and sharpening, being pruned and introducing others to the Gardener.

When the redeemed soul reads John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one should lay down his life for his friends,” something inexplicable stirs deep within. The question is no longer what that means, but “How?” How can I give Christ all of me? How can I lay it all down? How can I yield every aspect, dimension, nook, and cranny of my life to Him for His eternal praise and glory?

When we ask the "How" question, Jesus smiles and responds, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

So what about you? Are you in season or out? Are you waiting for someone at the church to call you back so you have an excuse for not getting involved? Are you holding off about getting involved because you’re not sure about “those” people? Are you still holding onto that hurt from the past and silently demanding that someone in the church “prove” their worthiness to you?

Peel back the layers, peer into your own heart, albeit briefly, and if you're honest you’ll see and smell the decay of entitlement, control, selfishness, and pride inside.

“He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.” -Job 12:22

We are called to be the relentless and persistent fig tree! The one that produces in spite of the terrible soil, in spite of the arid climate, in spite of the awful circumstances. Through the impossible is how we know the fruit is from Him and not our wit, our charm, our charity - not from us at all.

There is no off-season for the friends of the King! Jesus said, “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

We can try to peddle our excuses to Him, but the truth is it’s always the season for producing fruit!

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com