Easy does it...

2 Timothy 2:8
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God...

I don't do suffering very well. I do easy...naturally. About 4 months ago my wife and I decided to join a new exercise craze...P90X. It is supposed to change your body, and your life. How great is that? Unfortunately, the transformation doesn't take place immediately upon purchase of the product. You actually have to do the exercise which, in and of itself wouldn't be bad if the exercise didn't mean you had to suffer. And you do have to suffer. I did the "ab ripper x" the other night. Tony says it is the "x in P90X", which means it is hard, and it hurts. Over the last 4 months, my body hasn't changed much, mainly because I haven't been doing the exercises much. I don't do suffering well.

The main point of 2 Timothy is Paul helping Timothy to courageously suffer for the sake of the Gospel. This is obviously hard, or Paul wouldn't be writing Timothy to encourage him. In verses 3-7, Paul speaks of the reality of Timothy's past and present, he doesn't have a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self control. Now Paul tells him to live that reality out. He tells him not to be ashamed, but to share in the suffering for the gospel, suffering seen in Paul and in Christ.

I understand this reality. I struggle with suffering for the gospel. How many times have I chosen not to communicate clearly with friends for fear of rejection? How many times have I chosen to soften the clear teaching of scripture, for fear of offending? How many times have I chosen not to reach out and sacrificially meet the needs of the neighbors around me because I really like the comfort of my couch and TV? (my wife's life convicts me on this one all the time). I don't do suffering well...but I want to change. How...of course Paul has an answer, "by the power of God". This is great news. I've looked inside myself, I've tried to "pull myself up". I don't have what it takes, but God does. I love what Christ says in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve..." I need Christ to serve me, to enable me to suffer well...we all do, and He does.

Courageously, passionately using God given gifts.

1 Timothy
Paul, a an apostle of Christ Jesus b by the will of God according to c the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

2 To Timothy, d my beloved child:

e Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You

3 f I thank God g whom I serve, as did my ancestors, h with a clear conscience, as I remember you i constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 j As I remember your tears, k I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of l your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and m your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you n to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us o a spirit not of fear but p of power and love and self-control.

As I think back over my fairly short life (though I am getting older!), I remember some very distinct moments when older, godly people spoke directly into my life about what they saw in terms of gifts and ministry potential. As I reflect on those moments, I realize now how they were moments of grace...rich grace, as God used those people to providentially direct my journey.

I suppose it is no surprise, that in a letter where an older, godly person is speaking into the life of a younger minister about issues of gifts and ministry potential, that it would begin with an acknowledgment of grace (and end with the same...check 2 Tim 4: 22). This is Paul, being a conduit of God's grace, through the spoken word of encouragement and exhortation for Timothy...and for me...and for you.

I love how Paul opens up with the significance of what is at stake...the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus. Can you imagine how different we would treat our days if we were reminded that "the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus" is at the heart of what we are doing? This is not small.

I love Paul's reflection on the history and foundation of Timothy's faith and calling, that it is rooted, that it has stood the test of time through generations, that it has been affirmed by significant godly people (Paul in particular). Timothy's call and faith is more than just a "camp experience". It is more than just a "walk to the front". It is deep, it has been tested, it has not faded. Because of this richness, this certainty, Paul calls Timothy not to quit, but to BURN! This is not time for sitting back, this is not time for fear, this is not time for indifference...it is time to BURN!

Notice what Paul says...Timothy is to "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you".

A few things...

- we must engage the journey towards passion. It does not just happen. What that journey looks like, we will hit next time, but we must engage the journey.

- when the passion is gone, Christ and His gift is not. While Paul says that he must fan into flame the gift, he also acknowledges that the gift has not left. It is there. God has given it. We have a purpose, we have been equipped, that does not change based on our emotional position.

- Finally, that gift, at least in part, is activated through courage. This assumes the journey will not be easy. This is actually the foundation of the whole book...courageously, passionately using our God given gifts in the face of much suffering.

Can you imagine if followers of Christ around our country would courageously, passionately use their God given gifts in the face of much suffering...what a difference that would make? Maybe like Paul, we are being called to be leaders who speak this reality to our students...maybe part of our lesson is to be like Paul...not just like Timothy.