But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry
Observation
Paul is exhorting Timothy to keep on preaching, encouraging, and reproving. To not look for opportune times, but to just do it. He tells Timothy that people won't want to hear it, they will want to run to the teachers and leaders that approve their lifestyle. But Paul shouts "STAY THE COURSE TIMOTHY!"
What I find interesting is that Paul tells Timothy to endure the hardships, not celebrate in them, not have a great attitude in them, not act like they are not there at all, but endure; hold on. He reminds Timothy of the mission he has been called to and encourages him to stay the course.
Application
I cried when I read this word today. We are going through hardships at the Flask house. I keep telling myself that things could be worse and remind myself of the many, many, blessings I have. Yet I'm weary. When I get to this point I start to get disappointed with myself which only makes things worse. This morning, I didn't want to get up, so I prayed and told God how I was feeling and asked Him to encourage me. And here His word is, right on time. He is telling me "stay the course Hope, press on!". He is reassuring me that I'm on the right track, that He is in my corner, that Has a mission for me, and to not worry about the things falling apart around me. Because things will always fall apart around me. People will get tired of me telling them to seek God, to seek Him in His word, people will get frustrated with my failures, cars will brake down, money will run out, my body will fail, but press on to the prize!
Prayer
Father thank You so much for this sweet encouragement today. I'm so grateful that You allow me to do Your work with You. I know You don't need me, I'm sure I slow things down quite a bit, and I'm messy, but You let me be apart of it anyway. You enjoy spending time with me and Father, I enjoy spending time with You!
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