2 Timothy

Timeless Truth = Anything of excellence and worth is difficult

As I go through this final epistle of Paul’s I cannot help but be fixated on the perseverance of Paul to carry out the work of God by relentlessly sharing the gospel of Christ. His call to Timothy I see as God’s call to me… to press on for the sake of the gospel… seeking to take the life that Christ has given to people irregardless of what gets in the way. Paul’s life as radical and changed the world for Christ. This is my heart’s desire, for as I see more and more of who Jesus is and what he has done for me I see the reality that the world is dying and Christ alone can bring it life. I want more than anything for this to happen and I see my heart growing increasingly willing to do whatever it takes that people would see what God has offered them in the redemption of the cross. I see too that this is difficult… but Christ is so worth it. As I look at Paul’s life I see him as a living example that Christ is worth everything… that abandoning all for him is the only way to truly live a life of value. As I look at the call on Timothy’s life to follow Paul’s lead I want to run behind them… never looking back. I fear that I am not strong enough to do this but then I see that their strength was Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit… the same strength and power which I also possess. I, just like Paul and Timothy, have nothing to be afraid of… the question is whether I am willing or not to put forth the effort to be used by Christ… am I willing to abandon all of myself that he would be glorified? This question is difficult but I am sensing the Spirit yearning within me to radically risk myself for his glory.

Right now I am at an interesting time in my life… seeking his will and trying to be patient in waiting for what he wants for me. This truth hits me at the core during this time of trying to listen… for it makes me want to just go out and do. I see that what is important is that I do what I can now… daring to love the people around me in this place as zealously as I can… for the sake of Christ that they would see him and the life that he has. When God calls me to do something I must throw off every hindrance to press into the difficulty of living worthy of what God has called me. I also see that in this truth I must be weary to not grow downcast as difficulties arise. The presence of difficulty is not something that I will fear… but something that I will endure and persevere amidst… looking to Christ for his faithfulness and his glory. Really I don’t know how this plays out… I just want more of it. I see Paul and Timothy and my heart breaks for the joy that I see in their calling… that they are honored to serve Christ faithfully proclaiming his mighty work and bringing with it life abundant. I desire nothing more and nothing less than to see Jesus and rejoice that I fought the good fight… that I finished the race, that I kept the faith. Jesus… show me what you want… and Spirit, I cry out for mercy and grace that you would strengthen me to press hard in perseverance and faith… thank you Father that I know in whom I have trusted and that I have confidence in you… the true living God.

This morning we just finished our last test of the semester. We are now going home having finished one third of the school... everyone is really excited... but we are now done with Paul's letters and almost done with the New Testament. These are just some pictures of life around here... some of my new friends. This picture at the top is Victor from Mozambique and his daughter Victoria. These lovely ladies here are... from left to right... Sharis, Ladonna, and Annie.

These kids are two of the crazies here from the SBS. This is Justin from New York and Jessie from Ohio. Jessie has been one of my friends who helps with the youth group here in Kalispell at the church I have been going to. She and I and a few others have been helping weekly and loving it. Justin is absolutely nuts but awesome to hang out with... he and I have had a lot of fun ambushing people with snowballs.

This week has been nice to just relax and lounge around a bit. It has been busy with doing 2 Timothy, an assignment in which we also made a 30 minute teaching. Even with the bigger assignment and this exam we just finished this morning it has been a great week of just enjoying each other.