Thursday 28 July, 2016

16 Paul came to Derbe. Then he went on to Lystra. A believer named Timothy lived there. His mother was Jewish and a believer. His father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium said good things about Timothy. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey. So he circumcised Timothy because of the Jews who lived in that area. They all knew that Timothy’s father was a Greek. 4 Paul and his companions traveled from town to town. They reported what the apostles and elders in Jerusalem had decided. The people were supposed to obey what was in the report. 5 So the churches were made strong in the faith. The number of believers grew every day.

Such a simple statement that has so much richness built in – “Timothy was well thought of by the believers”. Imagine what was involved in being well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium. Communication was not simple. For someone like Timothy to be well respected he would have had to be quite busy amongst the believers being ready to do all that was asked of him. He would have needed to interact with all the believers especially the leaders. He would have needed to live well looking after himself and his family.

It was all this that showed he was ready to take on a bigger role – to help Paul with God’s mission. Paul looked for someone reliable and well respected. He listened to the believers and took their recommendation on board.

Am I someone who would be picked from the crowd to step up? Have I done the small things when asked with a good attitude? Do I live well and am I growing in my relationship with God? Do I look to do all that God asks of me? Am I reliable and trustworthy?

Thank You Father that You give us skills and opportunities to be part of Your plans. Thank You that You walk with us every day helping us to grow in character, wisdom and usefulness. Help us to engage with You to learn all we can and grow into all You have for us to be.

Written by Therese Manning