You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus... No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting officer. And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things... The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful-for he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:1, 4-7, 11-13 (NRSV)


Even a superficial reading of the Acts of the Apostles and some of the epistles will show us that Paul was an incredibly hard worker. He travelled widely, he taught untiringly, he argued and reasoned and prayed-and then set about making tents to raise the money for the next trip.

Timothy, on the other hand, does not leave quite the same impression on us, and we may wonder how he felt at receiving these three word pictures from Paul, urging him to fight like a soldier, train like an athlete and work like a farmer.

But Paul is right, and the principles remain just as true today. As the computer experts say, 'Garbage in-garbage out!' How much effort are you putting into the commission that God has given you? Are you as disciplined as a soldier? Are you as firm with your body and mind as an athlete? Are you as hardworking as a farmer?

Many of us live in a culture where life is relatively easy, and where we are being persuaded every day to give ourselves a treat 'because you're worth it'. We need to do as Paul suggests and think about these three illustrations. He promises that the Lord will give understanding-and that promise, praise God, is as true today as it was when Paul first wrote it.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, have I gone soft and flabby as a Christian? Please show me today where I need to be more disciplined, more committed and more hard-working. Amen.

Jennifer Oldroyd


[from New Daylight September - December 2007]