But if we’re not careful, we allow the cold front to come right into the church building with us. It seems like we throw in the towel on October, November and December and focus all our attention on how to get off to a fresh start come January. Before you begin shutting down and planning for next year, will you decide to make the most of the last three months of this year?

There is still time to grow. The bag of Winterizer is in the shed, just waiting to be spread on my lawn. I want my grass to be green and healthy, to grow. I wish I was as concerned about my own spiritual growth. It won’t happen accidentally or automatically. You have to decide that you want to grow. You have to make sure you’re getting the right nutrition and taking in good things. You have to be in the right kind of environment, one that is conducive to growth. And you have to do it “applying all diligence” (2 Pet. 1:5).

There’s no shortcut or quick fix to growth. It doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a patient process. But it will happen. If you decide to do it. Don’t wait until January 1st. Get growing.

There are still people to teach. In the area of personal evangelism, everyone sees where they can improve, but few make any changes or do anything about it. It’s not that we don’t understand the commandment. Jesus said, “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark. 16:15). No Greek lexicon or dictionary needed here. It’s not that we don’t recognize the need. The Lord told His disciples to “lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35). That’s your neighbor, your friend, your classmate, and your coworker.

So, why aren’t we teaching? The same reason we’re not growing. We don’t want to. Remember what time of year it is. It’s harvest time.

There are still opportunities to be of service. We know all too well that things like sickness and death are not limited to certain seasons. They are all around us, all the time. Over the next three months, there will be people who need our time, our attention, our sympathy, our understanding. It’s why we’re here.

In fact, Jesus said that part of following after Him involves the willingness of a man to “deny himself” (Matt. 16:24). If you want to serve Him, you’re going to have to put yourself last. Especially when it’s not convenient.

October’s here. Time to put on a sweatshirt and kick back, right? Don’t fall for it.