Partners
2 Timothy 4:1-5
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
A purpose for our lives – this is what each one of us longs for, whether we realise it or not.
Here, in some of the very last written words of the Apostle Paul, he reminds us of the mission that God has given each one of us … tell (or remind) people of the Good News (the Gospel) of God’s salvation.
It’s easy to become discouraged or feel responsible when people in your life appear to reject God’s word and God’s ways. However, in one sense, we need not concern ourselves with the outcomes that are out of our control. Our job is to live and to speak God’s word (and to pray) as best we can. How people respond to that is between God and the other person.
Over the years, coming to understand this has been both empowering and liberating. We are empowered with the incredible purpose of partnering with God to share His love with the world, but thankfully, we are not burdened with the outcomes.
The mission of partnering with God in sharing the Gospel is a very special gift, and if we feel weary or view it as a heavy burden, then we should examine what is making us feel that way. Jesus has said that His “yoke is easy and His burden is light”.
Today, I remind myself that I am a partner with the greatest mission and purpose on earth given to us by God. What an honour and what a joy it is to see the impact of God’s love in and around me.
Written by Shelley Witt