Day 39: Timothy (2 Timothy 1: 1-7)
It was time to write his beloved Timothy again. Paul first wrote to him five years earlier, when Timothy was shepherding the new church at Ephesus. That first letter had been full of instructions on how he should lead that church, in a God-pleasing way. But this letter would be different. Knowing his time was short, Paul sat down to write this letter to address how Timothy should guard the spiritual treasure he had in Christ. But there was another reason he was writing, as well. Paul wanted is dear friend, Timothy to come and see him—and soon! So putting quill and ink to the parchment, he began. ”To Timothy, my beloved son.” It wasn’t long before Paul’s mind began to reminisce. . .
Timothy had always been a faithful co-laborer for Christ. And his faith in Him was so much like Paul’s own. How Paul loved Timothy. He even called him his true child of the faith. What a blessing he had been because he constantly lived out what he believed. How Paul longed for him to come! There was still so much to share with him, so much Timothy needed to learn in order to serve God to the fullest. Paul’s desire was to be used as an example, and that the words that he wrote would be a great encouragement to Timothy, even long after Paul was gone.
“For I am mindful of your sincere faith,” Paul continued his letter. Pausing again, he considered why Timothy’s faith had been so sincere. Timothy’s spiritual heritage was stronger than any other he had known. Both his grandmother and his mother had trusted God and walked in faith in Him. The influence of these two godly women greatly influenced the young life of Timothy. Without seeing their faith in action, Timothy would not have become a man with resurrection power flowing forth from him. Two strong generations produced a believer who was not afraid to stand for what he believed. “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and discipline,” flowed on to the page of parchment. How perfectly those words fit his beloved Timothy!
What does the spiritual legacy you are leaving your children look like? Are you aware that the legacy they will carry on will look like what they have seen in you, not what they have heard you say? Are you leaving a legacy for your co-workers and neighbors? What do they see in you?
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