Monday 19 February, 2018

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Paul in this passage is giving Timothy his last ever command that we have recorded – Preach the word – proclaim the message. Proclaim the message – none of us really can escape that one.

Even more of a challenge to me has been the last phrase in verse 5. It’s been sitting with me for days as I have read & re-read this passage – “carry out your ministry fully” or in another version “Do everything God has given you to do”. Am I doing this? Have I let things slip through my hands that have been given me to do because I didn’t want to or not convenient or because I didn’t think I was up to it? I know I have.

Father, forgive me for all the times I have not done the things you have given me to do. I know you’re faithful even when I am not and ask that you would again bring opportunities along so that I can grow and do all that you have in store for my life. Amen.

Written by Suzie Hodgson