By David ReayMonday 3 Oct 2022LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (NLT)
Jesus himself said we must count the cost of following him. He didn’t sugar coat his message. Paul thought along similar lines.
The images he uses here all imply hard work. Soldiers, athletes, and farmers don’t have it easy. Soldiers must obey their superiors and not shrink from serving because another sort of life seems more appealing. Athletes have to train strenuously and stick to the rules if they are to be successful. Farmers don’t produce a crop without plenty of effort being put in, and risks being taken.
Then again, none of these occupations is a waste of time. Soldiers, athletes, and farmers can all benefit from what they do. Those benefits do not come easily or quickly, but nor are their occupations futile.
And another thing they have in common is that they are not suitable for dabblers. Jesus doesn’t want us to be mere dabblers in discipleship. We are to take him seriously and realise that doing so will involve sacrifice.
Many of us can recall many individuals who dabbled in the faith, got their toes wet, then scrambled back to dry land. Embracing the joy of Jesus involves some hard work.
Blessings,
David