Photo by Jean-Pierre Brungs on Unsplash
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Reverend William Shedd is credited with saying, “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” He was telling his listeners that courage is a difficult thing to exhibit. However, to fulfill one’s purpose in the world oftentimes requires courage. Dave Branon, one of the Our Daily Bread devotion series writers, says, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act, even if we are afraid of what might happen when we do.”
Paul wrote at least two letters to his protégé, the young “pastor” Timothy. Paul handpicked Timothy, through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, to lead the fledgling church in Ephesus. Along with the Letter to Titus, these two letters to Timothy are called “The Pastoral Epistles” because, in them, Paul gives his young pastors some practical advice for leading God’s people to courageously live out their new lives in Christ.
Paul begins his 2nd letter to Timothy by reminding him he has a sincere faith. But that faith came to him because his mother and grandmother were dedicated to carrying it to him in faith. Because of their faithful commitment to God’s calling, young Timothy has been called to carry that same faith to others … as it was carried to him. However, like any gift, for it to be of value, it has to be used. Paul exhorts Timothy, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit, not of fear; but, of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7) He urges Timothy to be courageous in using this gift, trusting that God Himself has given him the gift … as well as … the power to use that gift in love and self-control.
In some ways, we and Timothy are like Reverend Shedd’s ship. A ship is created to carry cargo to people in need. And, it needs to carry the cargo regardless of the obstacles in its path. So, its creator gives it special structures to ensure it can withstand the blows high winds and heavy seas will throw its way.
God has created you and I to carry His Word into the world to people who are currently dying in their sin. Through others, the cargo of God’s love and grace, found in His Word, has been carried along in faith to us. And it’s come to us, in many cases, through the heavy weather and rough seas of persecution, mockery, and ignorance which require courage to navigate. God has deposited them into us through His gift of baptism.
Thus gifted by God with forgiveness and eternal life, through others who’ve courageously followed Him in faith, He calls on us to continue carrying His gifts to others in need (2 Timothy 1:8-9). Our Father, has given us the power and love needed to deliver the cargo of His Word when and where it’s needed through our words and deeds, expressed in faith. He’s also promised to protect us, through the Holy Spirit, from the storms and calamities we’ll encounter along the way. Let’s not fear! Let’s courageously share Christ’s love as we boldly proclaim God’s Word in all we say and do.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim