A Charge from God

              It’s amazing how many things in life require preparation. We spend a lot of time, energy, and resources preparing for various circumstances and situations in our lives. We prepare for tests at school, projects and presentations at work, interviews, parenthood, retirement, and the list goes on and on. Think of a recent situation where you had to prepare for something. There was hopefully a sense of confidence, readiness, and peace that came over you the more you prepared. Being prepared doesn’t always take away the nerves or the stress, but it sure goes a long way in helping subside those natural emotions that come over us in the moment.
            As we wrap up our look into the letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, we see him leaving Timothy, and the Church today, in a pretty expected way. Paul is encouraging us to be prepared. To be in a state of readiness; to act and draw upon the faith that has been given and delivered to us; to trust the Holy Spirit working inside of us that gives us the power, love, knowledge, and wisdom to live our lives for Christ.
            This Sunday, we get the honor and privilege of hearing from one of our own: Manley Olsoe. Manly has served as a pastor in the Lutheran Brethren for over 20 years and has been eagerly preparing to share God’s Word with us this week. I am excited for all of us to hear Him deliver God’s Message of grace and truth to us. It also helps give you all a break from hearing me ramble on week after week too!
            I bring this part up because Manley is going to be speaking on this opportunity and call that God gives Paul to remind Timothy, and us, today. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul writes: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. This level of preparedness might strike some of us as odd or strange. “I’m not a preacher…I’m not a pastor…I’m not going to be giving any sermons.” These are all thoughts that can go through our head when we read words like that, but it goes much bigger and broader than that. That’s kind of how God tends to work, doesn’t He? God is calling us to a readiness to preach His Word with our lives…by how we live and love and serve others with His Spirit guiding and directing us. It’s a beautiful thing when all of us as believers are sent out into our schools, workplaces, and relational circles with this message of hope found in Christ. Who knows what kinds of interactions or conversations God might be directing you to or placing in your path? The Good News for us is that when those times and situations do come our way, we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom and words to share God’s love with those in our midst.