Over the years, as I've studied Scripture, I've grown to have a great respect for the protégé of the Apostle Paul... Timothy.
Timothy was a native of Lystra and raised by a Greek father and Jewish mother. His mother and grandmother taught him Scripture from a young age, helping to allow his heart to be ready to receive the Words of the Gospel, years later, as the Apostle Paul traveled through Lystra on his first or second missionary journey. Paul's courage in Lystra inspired Timothy as he witnessed the Apostle survive almost being killed by stoning.
Over time, Paul and Timothy became trusted friends and fellow preachers of the Gospel. In fact, Paul once wrote that there were no other ministers with whom he was so like-minded as Timothy. Paul had such trust in him that he rarely accompanied the young man when he ministered in difficult churches. He had full confidence that his friend was more than capable of unraveling the complex issues that most churches faced back then.
Timothy truly was a hero of the faith... but he wasn't on the same level as Paul... which is partly why I like his story so much.
You see, one might be inclined to think that, since Timothy was so respected by his mentor and given so much responsibility, he was always on top of his game, but in truth... Timothy had struggles.
So what did he struggle with?
Well, mainly, the fact that he was a pretty timid guy. We know this because in 1st and 2nd Timothy, there are no less than 25 different places where Paul encouraged Timothy to be bold... to not shy away from confrontation, and to stand up and be strong.
Timothy's struggle with facing confrontation proved to be a great challenge for him after Paul was arrested for preaching the Gospel. During this time, he ministered in Corinth--more extensively, at the Ephesian church--where false teachings and teachers had started to take over. These teachers taught that Christ's sacrifice was not enough to completely save a person. They stipulated that circumcision, dietary laws, and many other Judaist rules must be followed to truly be a Christian. Timothy had to constantly stand firm against a religion that belittled Salvation by grace through faith...and often times, his timid nature held him back.
Can you relate? I sure can.
Timothy also struggled with his own doubts. Jesus taught that if you wanted to be great, you had to be a servant to all. You had to have faith like a child and be willing to be the last instead of the first. At the time, this testimony would have been a source of shame for many. We often fail to understand that it wasn't easy to follow a crucified Savior. We also find in Scripture that it wasn't easy for Timothy to support an imprisoned Apostle as well. (2 Timothy 1:8)
Even with all the struggle and opposition Timothy faced, he still pushed through to became a biblical hero and leader of the faith. He was not a hero because he was immune to fear and oblivious to danger. We know that wasn't true. He was a hero because he suffered as normal men suffer. Through the power of Jesus Christ, he was able to hold on... and in the end... triumph. Brothers and sisters, we all can do that.
Don't worry or live in fear if you're experiencing pangs of trepidation as you consider God's call on your life. Hear me when I say... it's normal to feel these things, as long as you remember that these feelings are not from God. Never forget that the Holy Spirit inside you is a Spirit of power, love, and sound mind.
Don't be afraid to speak TRUTH to the world. Don't fear the confrontation that could come by doing so. Trust God and know that He is with you all the way.
Remember the words of Paul to Timothy:
"So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, His prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all His idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus."
--2 Timothy 1:8-10 (MSG)
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