Staying on Course in the Storm
2 Timothy 3:16-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
We all start off with dreams and aspirations for our lives in our teenage years. We imagine who we want to be, what we want to achieve.
The dreaming days are pretty easy. They don’t involve any challenges. They don’t involve any sacrifices.
So, on a bright, sunny day we hoist the sails on the good ship “My Life” and sail off into the way blue yonder. Fabulous. The dream is underway … until one day, the storms blow in. The sparkling blue sea becomes a raging black torrent. The long winter sets in … it always does.
And what so often happens in the middle of that raging storm, is that we lose sight of the course that we had originally charted. Many a dream is shattered on the sharp rocks of life, in the middle of the storm.
It was during just such a time, that the wise, old Apostle Paul wrote this to his young protégé Timothy:
Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13)
Young Tim had set out in ministry with all good intentions. It was his dream. It was God’s call on his life. But the storm had blown in. The going was tough. So, here’s Paul’s powerful solution to Timothy:
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
In other words, Paul’s telling Timothy to stay the course. To keep heading in the right direction. To remember God’s Word in the middle of the storm of persecution by evil people and imposters.
All scripture – all of it – is inspired by God and it contains everything you need to grow and learn and keep going with the good works that God has prepared for you.
That’s what he’s saying to young Tim there. And it’s advice that’s just as relevant, just as important to you and me today, as it was back then. When the storm hits, go back to the Bible. Let God speak to you, listen and receive from Him. Let Him be your guide. Let His Word be your rudder. Let the Bible be your map, to chart the course through the storm.
God knows how to get you through that storm. Listen to Him.
That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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