2 Timothy 2:3-7
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
Reflection
One of the ways we mature into a self-feeding, self-leading and self-multiplying believer is to move forward through all the challenges and difficulties. In this passage Paul is encouraging Timothy not to attempt to avoid every difficulty but to endure those challenges as a follower of Jesus Christ. Paul is encouraging Timothy to endure and to persevere. Paul gives the examples of a good soldier, an athlete competing for a reward and a farmer who works his field to produce a crop. These examples indicate that if we want to grow and mature in the faith we can’t give up. We need to keep going forward.
How have you worked through difficulties and problems? How have those experiences helped you to mature in the faith? How can you help other believers persevere when they face challenges?
