Before Winter

Scripture:
“Do your best to come before winter.”
2 Timothy 4:21

Devotional:
Paul’s words to Timothy are deeply human: “Do your best to come before winter.”

Winter mattered. Travel would soon become difficult, perhaps impossible. Roads would be harder. Ships would be less reliable. Paul knew his life was nearing its end, and he wanted Timothy to come while there was still time.

There is urgency in these words. Not panic, but urgency. Paul is not being dramatic; he is being realistic. Some opportunities are seasonal. Some moments do not stay open forever.
There are spiritual winters too. There are times when a conversation needs to happen, a call needs to be made, forgiveness needs to be extended, repentance needs to stop being delayed, love needs to become action, and obedience needs to begin.

Love cannot always remain a feeling. Sometimes love must rearrange the schedule, make the trip, send the message, offer the apology, or show up in person. Timothy loved Paul, but Paul was asking for more than sentiment. He was asking Timothy to make every effort.
This is a good question for each of us: What is my “before winter” obedience?

What have you been delaying? Is there someone you need to encourage? Someone you need to forgive? Some act of obedience you have postponed? Some ministry need you have assumed someone else will meet?

Not everything can wait.

Farmers understand seasons. You do not harvest whenever you feel like it. You do not wait until the snow comes to do what needed to be done in the fall. The same is true spiritually. Some opportunities pass. Some obediences have a season attached to them.

By God’s grace, obey before winter.

Reflection Question:
What act of obedience have you been delaying that should be done before winter?

Prayer:
Lord, give me wisdom to see the opportunities You have placed before me. Forgive me for delaying obedience. Help me love not only with words and intentions, but with action. Give me grace to obey while there is time. Amen.