...be prepared in season and out of season; 2 Ti 4:2 (NIV)

When I was taking a short course in Beijing, my hostel looked out to the college backyard. The fall had set in and each time I looked out of my fourth floor window, my attention was drawn towards this tree with its wide canopy . As fall set in, its crowning glory was being shed, slowly but surely. By winter, it was totally bald. It stood stark naked with its bare arms in surrender to the freezing Beijing temperature. Coming from the tropics, I often marveled at the sight. Then summer set in and before I knew it, the tree was rejuvenated, its glory once again restored.

Lord, you made the heavens and the earth
You made the seasons too
Summer to bear fruit
Winter to rest
It is your way of teaching your people
That there is a season for everything
A season to plant and a season to harvest
But one thing is needful
Whether in season or out
To be prepared for thy coming
To have our lamps and oil ready
When the marching order comes
To welcome the Bridegroom