THE DARK VALLEYS
2 Timothy 1
“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”
I wonder if you have had periods in your life when you are discouraged as a Christian. It is not the “give up your faith” kind, but rather, “I’m tired, God doesn’t seem to hear my prayers, I don’t want to try so hard anymore”.
Paul’s loving but firm response to Timothy’s slump is worth reflecting upon.
There is no recrimination, no judgement but plenty of love in his letter; yet at the same time he does not sugar coat nor allow Timothy to wallow in his depression.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”
Paul does not bring down the standard of service that God deserves and he does not shy away from using the word “suffering” to describe his experience. Instead he points to the extent of God’s grace, the importance and value of Christ’s achievements and the fact that the Gospel means life and immortality for us all.
“This is worth suffering for,” he tells Timothy, “and God is worthy of our suffering in service because he is able to guard what we have entrusted to him until that day.”
Don’t be discouraged by the details of your day-to-day experience but keep your eye on the bigger picture and hold on to the little sparks of light that God will send your way to encourage you and bring you relief.
While the overt context is about service, when you read the text in greater detail you will realise that it is also about our struggle to grow and overcome the problems and obstacles in our life as well.
“Keep at it,” Paul tells Timothy, “the final payoff is well worth it.”
Keep at it, brother, sister, because God is able to guard your soul and your spirit entrusted to him when you took up Jesus’ offer in faith.
“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”