My promise to the Lord, years ago, was that no matter what the size of the audience, I would minister to one person with the same passion and zeal for the Gospel, as I would to crowds. The same promise was made, to God, regarding the ”ministry” He has grown, online, in that, no matter how many ”likes” I would press into God each day, and be obedient to the call on my life
Yet, being honest, there are some days that I really struggle to do this! Not because I don’t love what I do…and getting up before sunrise has become the best part of my day, as I seek His face. But, I imagine how Apostle Paul would have felt preaching the Gospel and being chucked out of that town or city – I loosely compare it too the modern Western world of our messages not reaching the people groups God has placed on our hearts, and the rejection from it. Jesus knew this would happen when he said:
“If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.”
Matthew 10:14
Paul encouraged Timothy with the same encouragement in 2 Timothy 4:17, and I want to encourage us with this Scripture this morning
Our ministry, with God, will always look different to what we imagine – and that’s ok – because if God had spoken that over our lives, then what has been shown will come to pass. But, it’s more about, believing that the message the Apostles spoke over a few people has now reached billions of hearts, as we continue to share the love of Christ – all through the obedience of the ”call” no matter if the Apostle’s were thrown out of a city, or stoned outside the walls – they continued on the path God had given them
Friends, there might be days where we would prefer to walk away, and just like Timothy, we might not feel very brave to ”post online” or ”speak” where God leads us, yet Paul told Timothy subtly that the Lord had called Him, and therefore, would give him courage and strength to continue to do so – even despite the current circumstances
God will always give us the strength to do what He has commanded. However, sometimes, that strength might not be evident – just like for me, as I wonder ”why” or ”how” – until we actually step out, in faith and actually begin the task set before us
“But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.”
2 Timothy 4:17
Categories: 2 Timothy
