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Don’t Stop Believing

                When I was a teenager, I had a job that did not have a clear job description.  I did not know what I was supposed to do and neither did my employer.  It was frustrating! 
                After reading the first part of 2 Timothy, I was beginning to get that same feeling again. 
                In this section, Timothy is told to do his work by God’s power (2 Timothy 1:7).  He is reminded to be strong in Jesus’ grace (2:1) and to guard the gift he had been given “…with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in [him]” (1:14). 
                If God’s work is to be accomplished by God’s grace and power, what is Timothy supposed to do?  Is he is supposed to just sit back and watch? 
                Not at all!   Timothy has a role.  One that is illustrated in three ways.
                “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Timothy 2:4-7).
                In each case, the person involved is fully committed.  The soldier is fully committed to obeying his commanding officer and carrying out his orders.  The athlete is not an amateur who plays just for fun.  The Greek word here denotes a professional who is fully dedicated to winning the prize.  The farmer invests time, effort and money long before he ever sees a return.  Farmers must make a commitment in the spring if they are going to receive a harvest in the fall.
                Timothy is to be committed.  He is told to “Endure” (2:3).  He cannot be half in and half out, because “lukewarm” does not work (Revelation 3:16).
                Too often we get the message wrong.  We say, “Do good things and God will be with you” when the truth is, “If you commit to God, he will do good things in and through you!”
                Timothy’s role was to be faithful and trust God.    He was to submit to God and say, “Use me wherever you can”.  
                That is our job description.

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