Join Me
I wanted to live in Dorchester to serve a struggling neighborhood. But no one from my church had ever visited, and a number of people told me they didn't want to come. I knew it wasn't a safe area, but the reluctance of Christians to get involved contributed to the problem. The loneliness eventually overwhelmed me, so reluctantly, I moved out.
2 Timothy 1:3-14
I am grateful to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did. And I never stop remembering you in my prayers, night and day. I remember your tears, and I ache to see you, so that my joy may be full. I remember your sincere faith, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am convinced it lives in you as well. That is why I am reminding you to stir back into flame God's gift, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the spirit God gave us is not a spirit of cowardice, but of power, love, and self-control. So do not be ashamed of bearing witness to our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the good news, with the power God gives. He is the God who saved us and called us with a holy calling. He did not do it because of anything we had done, but because of his own purpose and grace. That grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before time itself began. And now it has been made visible through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and through the good news he brought life and immortality to light. It was for this good news that I was appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher. That is why I am suffering like this. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one I have trusted. And I am convinced that what I have entrusted to him, he is able to guard until that day. Keep the sound words you heard from me as the pattern you follow, holding them in the faith and love that are ours in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Paul writes his last letter to Timothy from a Roman jail, knowing that he can't leave to help one of his closest friends. Timothy is struggling as the pastor of the important church plant in Ephesus, where Paul ministered for nearly three years. As tempting as it would be to quit, Paul asks Timothy to join him in the suffering, relying on God's strength. Often, our reaction to suffering is fear. It can be a healthy signal because it teaches us to avoid danger. But when fear tells us to stop living for God, it's gone haywire. Paul doesn't tell Timothy to try harder by himself. Instead, he reminds him of the grace that God has already given to him: a spirit of power, love, and self-control. He reminds him that God not only saved him from sin but gave him a holy calling. Participating in God's purpose is a gift from God. We usually only take direction from those who've earned the right to say something. So Paul primarily encourages Timothy to persevere in suffering by pointing at Jesus. He abolished death by dying and revealed his immortal life by his resurrection. Jesus isn't asking us to do anything he didn't already do for us. But Paul also speaks with personal credibility because he's a prisoner about to be a martyr. God appointed him to proclaim that Jesus is the Savior, to start churches, and to teach people to follow Jesus. But the cost of this holy calling is suffering. I want to find a version of Christianity where I say some prayers, serve when it's convenient, and God blesses me. But the pattern we follow together is a suffering Savior. This text can sound like "guess this is going to hurt." But when we read it together, look at all the relationships: Paul's ancestors, Lois, Eunice, Paul, and everyone following Jesus with Timothy in Ephesus. They're filled with the Holy Spirit, who lives within them, saved by Jesus, who died for them, according to the grace of God, who always intended to love them. We can't stay faithful to God's calling without his divine strength and our Spirit-filled, human friends. When I left Dorchester, I moved into a staff house next to campus. God turned my housemates into friends. They built me back up, and gave me the strength to keep ministering to students.
How has shame or fear led you to dial down your faith?
What has God given to you so you can endure the cost of following Jesus?
Name one way a friend has helped you bear the cost of sharing the gospel.
Reach out to a friend that you know who is doing something hard for God by themselves. Text them, "I'm in. What's one way I can partner with you?"