Lessons From Timothy (and Co.)

Just as the vision begins to fade and confusion mingles with my certainty, the faithful shepherd senses my wandering and patiently beckons me home…

I hear in His voice the tenderness of a Father who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Tim2:4)

Because this desire burns in Your heart it must be kindled in mine too. To burn up with passion for all men to see Truth exalted – I will not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord and I will join in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God. (2Tim1:8)

I was not ‘saved’ so I could continue to live in the pit – but I have been lifted and rescued and therefore do not count my life as my own. I know that He has called me with a holy calling, not according to my works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted me in Christ Jesus from all eternity. (2Tim1:9)

This holy calling is to preach the good news and I can’t be content to wait around here for the lost to find me when I know where there are millions just waiting.

Sometimes my flesh rebels and I think I can’t do it or just don’t want to – but, in the end it comes down to simply this … I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts20:24)

Yeah, Some people think it is folly to seemingly throw my life away like this, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. (2Tim1:12)

It would be easier to pretend that my purpose in life is just to love God and enjoy the world He created… but no soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.(2Tim2:4)

I will not be deceived by lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power, (2Tim3:4-5) because I’ve experienced this power of God to transform broken, empty, ugly lives and now I can’t withhold it or retain to one side of the ocean.

After all – everyone who desires to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2Tim3:12) whether on this continent or another – it costs everything to follow Jesus wherever He chooses to lead.

So, I will go and preach the word; being ready in season and out of season; to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction (2Tim4:2) because my choice was made the day I submitted to the One and Only Holy Lord.

I feel You with every beat of my heart – to live is to be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2Tim4:5) and as long as my heart beats my answer is ‘Yes, Lord’.

I long for Your kingdom – the lasting, eternal presence of You that cannot be ignored or denied but only enjoyed. Oh, Lord on that day let the cry of my heart be, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me crowns of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.’ (2Tim4:7-8)

I know it won’t be easy, sometimes I will want to pack up and leave, but it isn’t about me and that’s why I pray that I will cling to the truth that I am His Beloved and loudly proclaim that ‘The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.’ (2Tim4:17)

All I know about and of You (as limited as that may be) tells me that this is the path You have set before me and that as I make smooth in the desert a highway for our God … then the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all flesh will see it together. (Isaiah40:3,5)