2 Timothy 1:1-4 (NRSV)
Read 2 Timothy 1:1-4 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, Verse 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Verse 3I am grateful to God-whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did-when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Verse 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy.
Devotion
Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Portions of this Funeral Prayer, from the Book of Common Prayer accompany our God Pause reflections for this week)
And the evening comes...
Timothy's calling isn't something that he has cooked up on his own. It's not something he can claim or possess simply because of his great personal relationship with Jesus. Timothy's calling goes far deeper than that. It reaches back to his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. It is nurtured by Paul's mentoring and teaching, but it comes originally from God through Christ Jesus, even before the ages began. We all have been given this good treasure, this calling by God through Christ Jesus. We are called into the world, called to suffer for the gospel, and called to rely on the power of God. Christ is with us even before the first gasps of air we take in this world, and continues with us even beyond our last.
Prayer
Let us pray.
We give you thanks O God, for in the beginning you have called all things into being. Inspire us with your Holy Spirit that we may bring life and immortality to light through our actions in this world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.