Beyond

St. Paul was imprisoned under a death sentence when he wrote his second letter to his protégé, Timothy—his “beloved child”. He knew that unless the Lord intervened he would soon be killed. Knowing this makes his words seem weightier somehow…more urgent. And there is weight and urgency in them for sure, but no regret, no shame, no fear. Because Paul could see beyond the immediacy and seriousness of his temporal circumstances to Jesus, who had “abolished death and brought life and immorality to light through the gospel.”

These powerful words were written to bring Timothy hope and strength in the midst of confusing and difficult days. To see beyond them in order to endure, to speak the truth with grace, and to keep the end (which is not the end) always in view. 

I think they’ll do the same for us in the midst of our own confusing and difficult days. 2 Timothy 1:1-14