2 Timothy 1:5-7
I often think of that genuine faith of yours—a faith that first appeared in your grandmother Lois, then in Eunice your mother, and is now, I am convinced, in you as well. Because you have this faith, I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you at your ordination. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind.
It’s a new time in life for this young leader in the early church. What did he need to hear, to understand and to believe about himself in order to go out in the world with this new work in mind? Notice that Paul didn’t lecture him about the things to avoid but encouraged Timothy to trust his call and move ahead. He instructed Timothy to focus on the drive to follow Christ and the rest would follow. Paul acknowledged Timothy’s call from God and encouraged him to hold on tight as he joined in with God at work in the world.
Edmonton Moravian Church is also called to be at work with God. We may or may not see many similarities between us and Timothy but the message that Paul conveys still makes sense for us in this new year.
- Focus on the call to follow Jesus, with all of who you are–who God made you to be
- Stir up your inner fire–read, listen, study, sing, reflect, pray–be filled with the Spirit
- Embrace the Spirit you have been given, of power and love and a sound mind
2020 brings with it the promise of new direction, which will not be without difficult decisions, for our congregation. I believe that this may be the best time for us to be reminded that God has called us and is still calling us. We have been given what we need to answer this call. We can walk boldly into the future, even if all is not yet clear, because we walk together with God towards God’s future.
May the blessings of this new year come filled with hope and encouragement for all of us!
Peace,
Pastor Rebecca
Edmonton Moravian Church 