2 Timothy 1: 3-10 Timothy, I thank God for you. He is 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 know that you sincerely trust the Lord, for you have the faith of your mother, Eunice, and your Grandmother, Lois. 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. So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.
It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the coming of Christ Jesus, our Savior, who broke the power of death and showed us the way to everlasting life through the Good News.
I’ve fallen in love with a song I’ve been hearing recently, because the words absolutely describe how I feel about raising my children. The song is by Mark Harris, and is called: Find Your Wings, from his Line Between the Two album. It talks about how quickly children grow and how our influence on them is so fleeting. How we as parents wish so many things for our kids, but most important is that our kids walk in the truth: that they allow God to reveal his plans for them and have the faith and courage to go for those dreams. I sometimes awaken at night with the chorus rolling through my head, a constant reminder of what’s important:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I’m here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots…and help you find your wings.
And in 2 Timothy Paul writes a similar call to action to Timothy. Timothy was one of Paul’s closest companions: in fact, in 1 Timothy 1: 2, Paul calls Timothy histrue son in the faith. Paul mentored Timothy, traveled with him, authored books of the Bible with him, and asked for his visit on his deathbed. They grew in the faith together. For Paul, who, as far as we know was not a father, Timothy may have been as close to a son as he would ever experience.
Imagine the setting. Paul, who is now an old man, is on Death Row in a Roman prison, guilty only of the charge of following Jesus. It’s not the first time he’s been imprisoned, but Paul knows it will be the last. He will either die by the executioner’s hand or die of old age; but either way, he was not coming out.
Paul was chained and thrown in a dark, musty, basement cell. He hurt, he smelled, and for a man who loved to take action, he had too much time on his hands.
Most of his friends had abandoned him already, fearful that the same fate may be in store for them. Luke and a few others stayed nearby and faithful. But all in all it was a lonely, miserable, depressing existence.
What would you do in such a situation? I fear my mind would turn on me and I would go crazy. Mad. Nutty.
But then again, I imagine that all of my thoughts would most likely be for my children. Where were they? How were they?
Were they humiliated over my situation? How could I make them understand the importance of my stand, the fact that my situation matters less than the outcome that comes from it? What could I say to them?
One last word. What would it be?
Paul sent Timothy three quick messages in the opening of his last letter, before delving further into his final instructions for Timothy’s ministry. They were not huge revelations, but do leave a lasting impact that we as parents can use as a guide: now, beforewe’re delivering our “famous last words.”
First, Paul tells Timothy that he thanks God for him. He tells him how often he thinks about him (constantly) and that he prays for him.
Simple enough, and I think our prayers, too are filled with thoughts of our children. But how often do we tell them that – let them know that we trust and believe in God enough to pray to him on their behalf? Paul reminds us of how important this type of witness can be in the lives of our kids.
Second, Paul encourages Timothy and gives him a gentle reminder that his gifts are to be used.
He cheers him on, saying “I know you can do it, because…you sincerely trust the Lord.”
He reminds Timothy that his God given gifts do no good unless they are used: “fan into the flames the spiritual gift God gave you…”
But, Paul doesn’t sugar coat it. He tells it like it is. After all, he’s sitting on death row while writing this letter. He knows that the path Timothy is on is not easy. And he gives it to him straight: “be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.”
But his message is anything but doom and gloom: Paul lets Timothy know he can do it, with God’s help: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.”
What a gift we can give our children now,before they are facing a life separated from us. How wonderful if we could cheer them on as Paul did: I know you can do whatever God has in store for you, in fact, that is how it’s supposed to be. Our gifts are given to be used. No, it won’t be easy and sometimes we’ll wonder what God’s plan is after all. But God is there, and he’s given us the power we need to be successful.
And Paul’s final message in the opening verses in 2 Timothy gave Timothy the perspective he needed to persevere: “It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began – to show his love and kindness to us through Christ Jesus.
What a blessing in this world that focuses so much on ability and self importance to be reminded that we were chosen by God for a reason – but not because of our great skills or talents. Rather, those talents were given as tools merely as a means to an end – to show God’s love and kindness to the world.
Paul made it clear to Timothy that that was the important message to hear – then he went on in his more detailed directions for how to do it. And by following Paul’s example, God will answer our prayers, and, like in Mark Harris’ song, help our children to find their roots – and t o discover their wings. Amen!
More to Explore:
Philippians 1: 3-4
Romans 1: 8
Has anyone ever told you they thank God for you? How do you feel when someone tells you they are praying for you? What does Paul teach us about being open with this type of encouragement?
1 Timothy 4: 7-8
Ephesians 4: 11-12
Paul reminds Timothy that his gifts have no benefit unless they are used. Do you feel you have been responsible with your gifts?
2 Timothy 2: 9; 4: 5
Paul talks a lot about suffering for the Word. Do you think all suffering is physical, like he experienced in prison? What have you had to overcome to follow God’s plan for your life?
Prayer:
God, thank you for my wonderful children and the chance to watch them grow in Your Word and fulfill Your plan for them. I ask you for the wisdom to help myself and my children to understand the significance of completing the ministry you have set for us: to show Your love and kindness through Christ Jesus. I thank you that you have equipped us with the power, love and discipline we need to accomplish all that you have in store. Please walk with us, be gentle with our mistakes and help us to find our wings. Amen
About the author: Sue Dickinson Sue Dickinson is a mom, a business woman, and the founder of www.Unlimited Mom.com, a web site and e-newsletter designed to celebrate the many facets of Mom - including her walk with God. Sue is also the author of the book: "What's a Mom to Do? Overcoming the Urge to Put Your Life on Hold", which can be purchased at unlimitedmom.com.
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