When Paul wrote to Timothy, he was writing to a young man who had a huge task in front of him; become minister and evangelist to the island of Crete, while Paul was far from him. Paul, his mentor, was also looking back and wishing to return to see him again.

But Timothy was not starting from nothing. His mother and Grandmother had given him a strong foundation of faith and it would serve Timothy as he worked. More than that, Timothy’s own spirit was enhanced by his reliance on God.

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

2 Timothy 1:3-7

The spirit God has granted his servants is not one that shrinks away but one that is bold. Yes, we have discipline to guide our steps and love to strengthen one another but we also have power from God. Built up from that foundation of faith, we are growing into the kind of people God can use for his goal of saving people from sin.

While we, like Paul and Timothy might be separated from the people we want to work together with or even placed into work that is painful for us, we don’t stop relying on God and that powerful spirit he has given us. We kindle that gift as we go along, showing the Light every day.

Ethan Kirl