Bobservations
by Pastor Bob
Lawrenz
MEMORIES… We all have them; some are good and some are not so good. The good ones are a joy to remember, and we often tend to think about those good ones when we are going through difficult times. Sadness, and loneliness can provoke them, but God wants
to lift us up.
A couple of decades
ago, singer Barbara Streisand sang
a song from the Movie, “THE WAY WE WERE”, that became a huge hit: “Memories…light the corners of my mind….” That’s what cherished memories tend to
do. They light up the little dark corners of our minds and remind us of good times, better times, and even the best of times.
Though we cannot
relive those moments, the memories encourage and lift us up in hope when things get troublesome in our thoughts. Our daily walk
may seem like drudgery and routine. We can then recall mountain-top
experiences, and the joy of the Lord that flooded us during
those times. And when things are at their absolute worst, we then have the
assurance that times will get
better in the days ahead, because trials are all temporary.
Today’s reading
from 2 Timothy recalls Paul’s thoughts and words as he encourages young Pastor
Timothy. Daunted and nearly overrun by others in the church that
were older, Timothy was being frustrated and intimidated in the Ephesus ministry left to him by the Apostle Paul (1
Timothy 1:3, and 4:12).
God’s reminders are there to occasionally fall back on and cheer us up for the days ahead. The Apostle
Paul’s reminders to Timothy were timely for him. The Church in the great City of Ephesus was meant to grow under Timothy’s leadership, but by the end
of the first century, it was in trouble again, just a generation or two later (Rev. 2:1-7).
A man’s ministry is not measured by size, or
outreach, or longevity, but by His faithfulness to preach the Word. In a Christ-rejecting
world, anyone can be intimidated into silence, but Paul encouraged Timothy
because Jesus encouraged Paul: to preach the word, in season and out of season, fearlessly and without apology. Recall for yourself again
those moments of God’s glory in your life, and speak of His glory to those who haven’t
seen it. The world needs that hope!
