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.
And so Paul’s second letter to Timothy concludes. Paul knows his end is near, and he encourages Timothy to use scripture for teaching, correction and training. What a novel idea! Recently, I’ve re-realized that whenever I’m uncertain or questioning the right direction, it turns out that scripture does provide the answer. What a novel idea! Of course, it helps to have recently read through the entire Bible, so I have a chance of being able to pull out something relevant. But when all else fails, I can always remember Jesus’ commandments – Love God. Love your neighbor.
The accompanying reflection today is from Eugene Peterson, an immensely accessible writer, who frequently allows me to understand things I wouldn’t otherwise understand. Today’s reflection focuses on the differences between people of faith and those who don’t have faith. He writes that believers take God very seriously, we believe that God works in our lives, and we attribute to God the things we see and experience day-to-day. Creation, acts of redemption, examples of help and compassion.
In all of Paul’s letters, Peterson writes that for people of faith, every work is a ‘natural, inevitable, and faithful development out of God’s work’. Yes!
He continues that the problem we have is not work itself, but “senseless work, vain work, futile work, work that takes place apart from God”. Yes! Yes!
In a few weeks, I have the honor of putting together an online gathering of deacons from throughout the country, where we’ll talk about faith and work, about prayer and work. This little passage from Peterson will come in handy!
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to read through scripture, to pray, to think, and to write. It strengthens me daily, even the days I don’t want to do it!
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