Read 1 Timothy 6
11-12But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses. (The Message)
Paul doesn't let Timothy go meakly into the future. The language Paul uses is one of action. Run, pursue, seize, and embrace are words that expect a passionate response. The faith that Paul is encouraging Timothy in is a faith that is worth grabbing hold of and not letting go. It takes work but Paul knows that it is worth the effort. But the life that Paul says should be grabbed is not what we usually think of. It is not a life lived grabbing the gusto or accumulating stuff or experiences but rather of wonder, faith, perseverance, and courtesy. It goes completely against all of what we are told we should be grabbing hold of in life. But when you look around at the lives that have been ruined in the grasping for the things of this world maybe we should ask ourselves, "How well is this working for us?" Maybe it is time to grab hold of something completely different.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- When you read the phrase, "Seize the eternal life" what images come to mind for you?
- Do you know anyone who has seizes a life of radical faith? What are some of their characteristics?
- Would you say you are running after the things of this world or the things of faith?
- How might you increase your desire for the things of faith in the coming week?
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