The events of the last several months have shocked even the un-believing world. Right is wrong and wrong is right. I remember my mom telling me when I was growing up that things aren’t getting any worse, we just hear about it more and more. I’m not sure that’s the case, things are getting worse and it seems, by the minute. With each new event or overturned ruling reminding us this world is not our home. I have a tendency to become more and more anxious, quickly reverting back to my flesh and I worry about the future like I somehow have control of things yet to come. It’s difficult in this day and age, with all the technology we have at our fingertips and all the resources available to us to become led astray but fancy teachings. We live in an over you fill in the blank society where you can pick and choose what to believe. There are no absolutes, rights or wrongs. If you stand up for truth you must be a hater.
Once again, Paul’s words form 2,000 years ago ring true today. As he reminds Timothy to be strong and charges him with a huge task that he could only do with the Spirit of God:
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober- minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Be ready in and out of season. Reprove. Rebuke. Exhort. Patient. Sober- minded. Endure suffering. FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY. Wow, what a list. Am I ready for this, Lord? Have I done enough to prepare for such a time as this? I look at the world around me and see so much hurt and evil. You can’t look at anything anymore and not see it. It’s everywhere. I know without his strength on a daily basis I will not be able to fulfill my ministry, whatever that may be. For me, right now that is teaching my children about the loving and gracious Lord I serve who came to rescue me from my own sin. Tomorrow, my ministry may be different. Seasons change, times change, ministries change but the goal remains the same. To serve the Lord by and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, helping others see the amazing gift of salvation through Jesus Christ’s death burial and resurrection.
Our window of time is closing to be able to share this good news freely and openly. I want to make sure I can say at the end, whenever that may be,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will ware to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Dear, Lord. Help me to not despair at the events surrounding me but to lean into you and follow you even harder than before. My days are numbered and in your hands and my ministry was planned in advance by you. May I use every opportunity you give me to share your good news with others and fight the good fight. What an honor to serve you, Jesus. Amen.
Sixty-six books in a year 