If I were Timothy #16: looking back over life

INTRODUCTION

Last month, we journeyed through the book of 1 Timothy, a letter written by Paul directly to his protégé Timothy.

Just a reminder of who Timothy was –

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.  Acts 16:1

After Paul had visited Lystra, Timothy became his companion and co-worker along with Silas. Timothy then travelled around with Paul, who became his mentor. Paul trusted him to carry out important work.

During the month, I imagined how I would have reacted to this letter from Paul if I were Timothy. You can read the whole of that response here. I’d have been blown away – and now here I am, receiving another letter from Paul addressed directly to me! This letter is traditionally considered to be the last one Paul wrote before his death.

So let’s unpack it together, imagining each day who Timothy would respond.

PASSAGE

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  2 Timothy 3:10 – 4:8

RESPONSE

You’re right, Paul, I don’t think anyone knows you better than I do. I’ve seen it all. And I’ve seen how God has been faithful to you and never abandoned you. You never promised this would be an easy life – for you or for anyone else. Following the Way has not spared you from discomfort and suffering. Quite the opposite!

As you say, all any of us can do is rely on God’s work to equip us for every good work. His word shows us exactly how to live life as He intended, a life of love in action, a life crammed with acts of kindness and generosity and compassion and love. I wish those who use God’s word to beat people over the head about certain behaviours (concentrating on certain things and ignoring the glaring faults in their own lives) could see that the purpose of God’s word is to equip us to do good and be good for those around us.

I find it hard when you talk about the future – particularly a future without you in it. I don’t know how to do this without your encouragement and instruction. I can only do my best, I guess. None of us can control how people respond to what we say. There are loads of other people out there with very persuasive messages, that’s for sure. All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing – preaching the truth as it has been revealed to me.

You’re talking as if your life is already over. It’s not. I sense how weary you are with this life and how you long for the life to come. I get that. But I need you, Paul. I’m not ready for you to go. Stay at least until I can get to see you one more time.