Strength Phase

2 Timothy 2:1
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

I am sitting here in my office, taking a look at my next three weeks. I have a leadership class in BC which will be great. But I also have a major 2 day bike ride coming up which has a 145 km day and a 52 km day. This makes me nervous. Why? Because I haven't trained. I should ride today, but I desperately wish that somehow by sitting here, I could just "become in shape". Unfortunately it doesn't work that way.

As I sit here, I have also been reflecting on the reality that I long to be bolder in my faith...perhaps stronger. The reality is, it doesn't "just happen". I actually have to engage the process. Paul commands Timothy to be strong in his faith...over and over throughout this book. He must engage. Here's the great news, the command to be "strengthened", is not just an imperative, it is also passive, which means that Timothy's work is to put himself in a position where Christ will do His work of strengthening. It is "in Christ Jesus" that He is strengthened. It is Christ that ultimately does His strenghthening as we engage His grace through His Word.