Now may the God who brought us peace by raising from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ so that he would be the Great Shepherd of his flock; and by the power of the blood of the eternal covenant may he work perfection into every part of you giving you all that you need to fulfill your destiny. And may he express through you all that is excellent and pleasing to him through your life-union with Jesus the Anointed One who is to receive all glory forever! Amen!
Hebrews 13:20-21 TPT
Have you ever had a word spoken to you that changed the course of your life? In high school, I was in a boarding school, and at the end of each year, we voted on who would be the next year’s student elder. I was voted for three years. Wondering if I was fit for the job and how to go about it, my guardian (Uncle Frank) said words to me that I’ll never forget: “Lordson, you are a leader.”
He believed I could do it. Unwittingly, uncle. Frank defined something for me that day that has continued to shape my life.
In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul did something similar for Timothy that uncle. Frank did for me. He defined for Timothy what was true about him. He pointed out to Timothy how God had gifted him because, in a sense, Timothy was also a shy freshman, unsure he was in the right role as a pastor and uncertain he had what it took to endure. We know from Paul’s words that Timothy had come to tears about it all and had expressed timidity, fear, and perhaps some anxiety about the calling God had placed on his life.
Paul exhorted Timothy to persevere, explaining to him what it would take to endure in his calling. As pastors’ wives, you may not be the ones standing in the pulpit, proclaiming the gospel like Timothy. But you’re each minister of the gospel, and you’re called by God to use your gifts to bring glory to Him and to benefit others. Paul’s words to Timothy, then, are applicable to you as you seek to be ministers of Christ in this world, whether it’s at home or among your neighbours and coworkers or as a servant in the church. Paul tells us what it will take for us to faithfully serve others—all the way to the end.
This grace Christ so lavishly pours out on us shows us He is worthy of any hardship we must endure in ministry. And when we consider Him, as we wonder, Is this life of service, sacrifice, and obedience worth it? we can affirm without hesitation, Yes, because Jesus is our Finish Line. He is worth it all.
Do you find yourself in the words of 2 Timothy? What words of strength, at one time spoken to you, impacted how you understood yourself? Do these words shape you today?
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