Paul's encouragement to Timothy and to me

Paul encourages Timothy to keep going, to seek God himself and to keep going in ministry even in the face of opposition from within the church body. Timothy was probably discouraged and perhaps hopeless, ready to give up on the mission in Ephesus.

Some nights or weeks I find myself at the corner of discouragement and hopelessness in ministry work. 

I sometimes let the circumstances define my identity. When things aren't going well or to my plan, like when only one person or 0 come to the bible study small group I lead with a student leader. I carry it close to my heart, emotions begin to weigh on my heart ant they don't leave when I go home. It often makes me doubt my work and God's plans or goodness. 

God I pray you would have a word for me, just as Paul had many words for Timothy. 

Paul writes to Timothy:

1 Timothy 1

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

One of the first things Paul calls Timothy to is to hold on strong to his own faith. 

Paul also acknowledges there will be suffering and discouragement in ministry. 

2 Timothy 6-8

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

In the challenge of ministry Paul points back to timothy's calling, the Spirit within, and invites him to join with him in suffering for the gospel. 

Paul continues and points Timothy back to the gospel which is our mission and has been entrusted to us to pass on and share with others. 

2 Timothy 9-12

9He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

God point me back to my calling. Help me to live in that calling and not get lost in the details or the times of discouragement. For you are at work on the CU campus and I see it already! Thank you for letting me be a part of it. I ask for more hope and vision to see your kingdom come and advance at CU!!!
Amen