In the mid 90s, I attended Microsoft’s Windows Hardware Engineering conference (WinHec). Bill Gates spoke in person and I recall his talking about an initiative to make computers start up much faster than they did at the time. It usually took several minutes to get a PC up and running after flipping the switch, and Gates envisioned them instead being instantly available for use at all times. No more twiddling your thumbs or getting a cup of coffee waiting for your system to boot before you could write an email. They called this power management initiative OnNow. Whether the engineers jumped on the opportunity at the time or nicknamed it OhNo! I’m not sure, but over time things have gotten faster, especially since the advent of solid state drives.
In 2 Timothy, we read Paul’s exhortation to his son in the faith,
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2).
In one of Peter’s epistles, he encouraged Christians, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).
The Bible challenges believers to use their instant on capability. If you woke up in the morning and threw your legs over the side of the bed, tried to stand but instead crumpled to the floor, you’d be surprised, wouldn’t you? And what if, as you lay there in a pile, your feet and legs said, “We’re not ready yet. We need to ease into the day. How about a massage and maybe a thirty-minute stretch first?” No, you expect your body to get in gear when you need to be somewhere or do something. When your brain sends the signal, you expect your arms and legs, hands and fingers, to be at the ready and to respond immediately.
Likewise, all of us, as parts of the body of Christ, need to be ready to move in response to any instruction issued by the head, our Lord Jesus (Colossians 1:18). To be instant in season and out of season means to be always ready, not just when we feel like it or when everything is going our way.
I recalled this verse one morning when I was very tired and starting out slowly, not in the best of moods. I realized I could instantly get in the spirit and out of the flesh, making myself available to God. Another time I was in a negative state of mind but needed to go somewhere with one of my children. My wife admonished me, “You’d better make up your mind fast to choose a different attitude if you want this to be a good experience.” And you know what? I did! It took no more than 30 seconds. It was a choice.
A great verse to help you move to instant on is Romans 8:6, which suggests you set your mind on the Spirit. (See also Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2.) Don’t miss an opportunity God has for you because you take forever to “boot.” Choose to be always on and available to God.
Thank you, JB – as always, very helpful analogies and encouragement! I sometimes have to remind myself, “Attitude is everything!” — especially in challenging interpersonal situations.