In his second letter to Timothy, Paul tells his beloved friend to, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season” (2Timothy 4:2). If you’re anything like me, you may cringe at the thought of “preaching” anything. I’m the girl who always had a mild panic attack in college every time I had to present a three-minute speech on cats (or my personal favorite: give our own eulogy). Not only did my words decide to suddenly disband in every direction the moment I opened my mouth, but I didn’t know how to feign the authoritative, charismatic poise and confidence I thought was required for all speech makers.
Reading today’s passage, I thought it was worth looking up. It looks like Paul’s use of “preach the word” means to instruct others in the truth of the gospel. Well, that’s pretty straightforward, right? Yet there are still many of us who don’t feel gifted in the art of preaching or evangelism.
I pondered the passage again and began to realize Timothy had the unique calling as a pastor to preach God’s Word. However, we’re all called to engage in the art of evangelism. We’re all called to share the truth—the good news—of Jesus Christ, in love, with those God allows our lives to intersect with. This doesn’t just mean a big church auditorium or the streets of Times Square. I think of my own life and the places where God has asked me to do this recently—at a local coffee shop, over the phone with a friend, with the woman behind me at church whose house just caught on fire.
What I especially love about today’s reading is Paul’s call to endurance. He tells Timothy, “continue in what you have learned and firmly believed” in response to the truth of God’s Word (2Timothy 3:14). Continue in. Endure. Keep walking faithfully. Scripture has power because it reveals the heart of the living God—and our response to the truth will undoubtedly lead to action. At least, that’s what I long for in my own life! This reading encourages me because Paul’s words to Timothy are the same call you and I have today. We may not be pastors or have the gift of public speaking. At times, endurance can feel like drudgery as our minds and bodies wrestle against it. But we’re told that Jesus endured until the end, and He took great joy in doing so.
Sisters, let’s be vigilant about where God may want to use us today to share His truth. Scripture is what anchors and nourishes us. “The grass withers, the flowers fade,” says Isaiah, “but the word of our God remains forever” (Isaiah 40:8).
Equipped with every good work, everything God calls a believer to do with guidance of the Holy Spirit. Scripture is God’s Truth with power and faith leading us to righteousness.
❤️
I struggle so much with sharing the gospel- I struggle with what to say and end up over thinking it. I think it’s because I am too worried about me getting things right, and not letting the Holy Spirit have His way and give me the words to say. I just have to know that it is not my job to save others,it’s Gods. He just wants me to be a willing vessel to share with others the truth about Christ.
Heidi- praying for your niece; so happy to hear that she earned her 60 day.
Michelle P: I saw the add; thank you for adding me! I love “meeting” other she’s IRL; it’s so nice to put a face to a name. I’ll message you on insta with my story; it is LOOONG.
That’s so true.
Kelly (NEO), thank you for asking! Milo is doing really well. His bone marrow has responded perfectly to the chemo. Last labs showed zero cancerous cells. He still has a long road ahead of treatment but his doctors are very pleased. His parents are exhausted but hopeful. Please keep praying!
Tori is recovering from a difficult delivery but enjoying her new little one. The oncologist has told Tori and her husband (my cousin) that she has “the most curable breast
cancer”, it’s stage 1 and should respond well to treatment. It’ll be 1.5 years of chemo and surgery. Treatment starts in a few weeks. Please pray that she finds Christ through this experience.
This is a lovely reminder that we are to be ready to speak about God’s love. One thing that I find helpful, although I am not a preacher, “just” a Christian trying to share a bit of his Light, is to pray for God to speak through me, to give me the words He would have me use. He hasn’t failed me yet!
Heidi- I’m praying for you and your daughter and husband. May He give you the words she needs to hear. May He help you show her His love and your love. May He makes you the parents she needs.
I have a daughter who is almost ten who also struggles with anxiety. My prayers include asking Him to make me the mom she needs, to give me wisdom and the ability to communicate it, and to help our relationship.
Praying for you all! Thank you for your insights!!
As we have sat with dad in the hospital after his tragic accident I’ve thought to myself many times that I’ve never felt the love of God more than I have today. Even in a season where it’s the hardest time of your life God will pull you through it. I cannot imagine going through something like this and not having faith. Even though we are so heart broken over this event I sometimes wonder if I was meant to go through this to help somebody else have a stronger faith.
If any of you are on Facebook and want to share and follow along that way I will post my link below.
https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cavanaugh.0413