Paul gave Timothy some useful advice about his faith and ministry that might still help you and me to move along smoothly in life. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline,” (2 Tim 1:7).
Paul gave Timothy some useful advice about his faith and ministry that might still help you and me to move along smoothly in life. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline,” (2 Tim 1:7).
This really sounds so nice and wise, but I believe it would help us to use some motoring insights to make it more practical. My guess would be “power” (italdunamisital in Greek) could be the accelerator. How we like our accelerators! But step lightly, it burns the bucks ever more quickly. And accidents happen so fast.
In life and faith we would be lost without balance, or self-discipline. That’s where I think the brakes come in. Count to 10, send that email tomorrow, or just keep quiet sometimes. With the state of our roads as they are, potholes and sinkholes, and animals and pedestrians too, step on the brake in time!
Leaving the best for last, why could not the common old clutch represent love? Because it helps us change gear. It sets us free to change. Adapt to changing situations and needs and people in our lives. Love compels us to change the gears of destructive feelings, and overcome the obstacles of negativity and fear. To think again, and to feel differently. It could even help around negotiation tables!
This is the spirit God gave Timothy, and us.
