When we talk about the seasons of life, we often forget how much waiting, preparing, and trusting happens in between. Many of us have experienced those moments when someone says they will be ready to leave, but they are absolutely not ready! We have waited on people, situations, and even our own hearts. Last Sunday, we explored what it means to be ready in season and out of season, and how God uses every season of our lives to shape us for eternity. At New Vision Church in Fayetteville GA, we want to walk together through every one of those seasons with faith and purpose.
Understanding What It Means to Be “Instant” in Every Season
Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4 that we are to be instant in season and out of season. At first glance, the word instant feels misleading. Nothing in life is truly instant. Even the microwave requires at least a minute before anything warms up! Every “instant” thing still needs something added to it.
Instant grits need water, heat, and time. Our faith is no different. Being ready in every season is not about snapping our fingers and suddenly becoming spiritually mature. It is about adding the right things to our lives and giving them time to grow.
We may feel ready in theory. We may say, “I’m instant. I’m ready.” Yet just like water that still takes time to boil, we need time for God to work in us through Scripture, prayer, discipleship, and community.
What Are You Adding in This Season?
Second Peter 1:5-7 gives us a beautiful list of what God calls us to add to our lives: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These qualities season our lives and help us reflect Christ in everything we do.
Some of us feel spiritually bland because we are not adding anything new. A little seasoning goes a long way. A small increase in brotherly kindness, a pinch of patience, or a dash of love can transform how we move through the world.
There have also been moments when a dish had too much seasoning. It was overwhelming, too salty to enjoy. Our spiritual lives can feel the same when we try to do too much or push too hard in our own strength.
This is why we can carry a simple reminder. Something like a bottle of Mrs. Dash seasoning on the counter or in the car can help us remember that God uses every season to season us. God brings us through things so we can share encouragement, wisdom, and hope with others. We do not want to overwhelm people, yet we do want to offer something real, something helpful, something loving.
While seasoning others may only require a dash, when it comes to Jesus, we need far more than a little. Our lives require a whole lot of Jesus, and the only way to give people more of Him is to make sure He fills us first.
Let God Ready You in Time So You Are Ready On Time
Time is fragile. Time is fleeting. We often comfort ourselves with the idea that we have plenty of time left, but the truth is more sobering. Middle age is not fifty; it can be closer to thirty-five. Life moves quickly, and the number of seasons we have is smaller than we imagine.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that God has made everything appropriate in its time and has set eternity in our hearts. We are not meant to live only for time. We are meant to live with eternity in mind. One moment in time can shape eternity when that moment belongs to God.
Jesus Himself stepped out of eternity and into time so that we could receive eternal life. Whoever believes in Him will not perish but will experience the life that never ends. This means the eternal God wants to meet you right now, in this very season, so that your time can have eternal impact.
Let Your Life Be More Than Just a Dash
You may have heard the familiar illustration of the tombstone: your birth date, your death date, and the small dash in between. Most people live as if the dash is all there is. Yet Paul calls us in Philippians 2 to pour ourselves out as a drink offering for the sake of others. We are not called to give only a dash of our lives to God. We are called to give all of it.
Would you be willing for God to pour you out? To let Him use your life to encourage, exhort, serve, and bless others? Maybe a dash here, a dash there, but ultimately a life that is fully surrendered?
No matter the season you are in right now, God can do something eternal with it. Your season can shape you, strengthen you, and overflow into the lives of the people around you. Your season can prepare you for the next one. Your season can draw you closer to Jesus.
If you allow Him, God will use your time for eternity.
Practical Applications for Your Daily Life
• Ask God what you need to add in this season: knowledge, patience, kindness, perseverance, or love.
• Choose one area this week to intentionally “season” with spiritual growth.
• Look for someone who needs encouragement and offer a gentle, timely word.
• Spend time in Scripture to let Jesus fill you so you can overflow with His presence.
• Remember that every moment matters. Let eternity guide how you invest your time.
If you are in Fayetteville GA and googling for a church near me, we invite you to grow with us. Join us for Sunday worship at New Vision Church. We gather every Sunday at 10 AM at 479 Inman Road and 5:30 PM at 193 Johnson Avenue. You are welcome here, and we would love to walk with you through every season of life.