2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
The Scriptures mostly teach us by example: people in situations like our’s that learn how to deal with the same things we’re going through. The Bible as it has come down to us is full of mentoring relationships, the Paul-Timothy connection is one of the most explicit. As less-crowded (hopefully) summer days approach, you might want to consider searching in Acts, the other letters and especially in 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy to see how God used this relationship to help both Timothy and Paul. This may be a well-know line to many, a summary statement of Paul to his young successor. How about just making this your goal for the week? “Present yourself to God”: punch the clock this morning, log onto the Godly system, show up for work to do the things of God. “As one approved”: I’m guessing God thinks more of us than we do of yourselves. Assume God’s love and help are enough for the tasks ahead. “A worker how does not need to be ashamed”: how sad it is when we ‘call in sick’ in a spiritual sense, when we are actually fine. And “correctly handles the word of truth”: this was specific to Timothy’s role as teacher and preacher, but we all have God’s word in us (that’s why you and I do this each day!). We all need to “handle” the truth Jesus is giving us, in both senses: having it in our hands and doing our best to harness its energy for our own and the world’s best interest. Let the Word of God actively mentor you this week.
Lord forgive me for laying down or mishandling the truth you have given me. We have work to do, you and I, and many lessons to learn together. I open myself anew to your loving direction. I want to do my best. Amen.
