Just Keep At It

Reading:  1 Timothy 4; Psalm 128

15 Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! 16 Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation. (1 Timothy 4:15-16 MSG)

Paul’s fatherly advice and instruction to young Timothy was pretty basic: Pour yourself into work for God and others, concentrate on who you are as much as what you do, stay focused, and don’t give up. Good advice then, good advice now.

Most of my life I’ve seen myself in the learner role – the disciple – learning from the counsel, advice, and example of others. I still do. But for thirty-plus years I made it a practice to read through the book of Proverbs each month, a chapter a day, month after month, year after year, to try to absorb the quality of godly wisdom into my life. And my most consistent life-prayer has been that I would acquire wisdom.

So now I also must think in terms of taking my experience and wisdom and distilling it into simple, practical, and clear advice and counsel to others. At the same time I must heed Paul’s advice to concentrate on my character as well as my ministry, staying on track with God’s revealed will, and simply keep on keeping on. As I read these words this morning, I felt that God was fine-tuning and focusing my God-assignment for this season of my life with these words…

11 Get the word out. Teach all these things. 12 And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young (or because you’re old!). Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. 13 Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. 14 And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. (1 Timothy 4:11-14 MSG)

Are you clear on your God-assignment for this season of your life? What do you need to do to get it clear and focused? Will you do it?

Prayer:

Father, This is a good word for me to receive and apply, and good wisdom to pass on to others. Please help me and my friends to be clear and focused on our God-assignments.