“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” — 2 Timothy 1:12
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Every year we read about college and professional head coaches getting fired. The pressure is intense for coaches to produce outstanding results every year. It seems people used to have a little more patience and understood the likelihood of teams experiencing rebuilding years and an occasional losing record. Even though terminations are sometimes necessary, coaches and their families hurt when they lose their jobs, and often have to start over again in a new location. Typically, true coaches are committed to leading teams and do not just give up their call to coach because of a setback. They find a way to regroup and continue the journey. They’re fully committed.
When the apostle Paul entered the ministry, he didn’t sign a contract with guaranteed money and he had no retirement plan. Because New Testament churches were just beginning, he held church services in people’s homes and sometimes in inconvenient public places where he was attacked and beaten for speaking about Christ. Paul was forced to leave several communities even though he didn’t mistreat anyone and didn’t break any laws. He was arrested for preaching the Gospel several times, and was eventually executed in order to silence him, but his writings are preserved and his voice is heard hundreds and thousands of years later.
If Paul didn’t have the Holy Spirit dwelling in his heart or the Bible to focus his mind and undergird his work, he may have given up in frustration. It would have been easy for Paul to become bitter and angry. Instead, he rejoiced daily because the Lord Jesus Christ is a wonderful Savior and he knew all of his sins were completely forgiven: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). By his example and words, Paul urged every believer to live out their Christianity with confidence in God, fully committed to Him.
As we seek to live for the Lord today, it won’t likely be easy. Some people will be treated badly for no good reason, but we are inspired by the example of those who went before us to keep on serving, praying and telling others about Christ until we see Him face to face. “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
We can live unashamed, fully committed, thrilled by the glorious Gospel and rejoicing in the Good News for eternity.
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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