If I were Timothy #17: People need people

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

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 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. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  2 Timothy 4:8-18

RESPONSE

I strongly sense how abandoned you’re feeling right now, Paul. I promise I’ll come as quickly as I can and will bring what you’ve asked for. We’ve said it before, but you really do get to see the loyalty of others in testing times, don’t you? Some people just haven’t got what it takes to stick around when the going gets tough – they haven’t got the courage to stand with you or the compassion to comfort you. There are so many temptations and distractions, aren’t there, and it’s so easy to get caught up in those and lose sight of who and what are really important.

Of course, we have One who is always there, always standing at our side, always giving us strength – what a God we serve! But we need human company and comfort and compassion too. We were created to live in community, not alone. I pray that the right people will be sent to you – including me! – who will be able to meet your needs right now.

I get that you feel the need to warn me about certain people and I will be on my guard, but we trust in a God who protects us at every turn, right? We know that we will spend eternity in His presence and nothing can separate us from His love and take that promise of a certain future with Him away from us. My soul sings as I write those words.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!