If you live in the forest during a wet stormy winter, you become well acquainted with flickering lights as gusts of wind gather strength. Over the 30+ years we have lived here at Mt. Gilead I have become fairly adept at racing through the house to finish drying my wet hair, vacuuming, washing and drying clothes. Why? Because I know it is just a matter until the power will go out. Maybe for an hour or two or maybe for a week or more. The race is on.
Paul writes, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage---with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desire,... they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time of my departure is near. I fought the good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished the race.” 2 Timothy 4:1-7
It is very easy to lose focus in our world today, but there are some goals I am trying to live by with the help of God. First, I need to pick up the pace in my walk with Christ…not slow down. I am fifty-six years old, and the last thing my children and grandson need to see is their mom/grandma checking out. Oh no. They need to see me staying close to Jesus…being fervent in faith, passionate in prayer and diligent in living out my calling. Secondly, I am seeking to be very intentional in sharing my faith. We have been so blessed in this country with the freedom to share our faith openly…but I am not sure how long that freedom will last. It is a privilege, not a right to be assumed. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are in a race. It’s time to pick up the pace.