Be Focused
Do you find yourself pouring into others and wondering who will pour into you? No matter where you are in your journey as a Christian, we never outgrow the need for someone to speak truth and encouragement into our lives.In my last blog, I began to share my reflections from 1 Timothy 4:12-16. I recently said to the Lord, “I need a Paul.” I was tired and overwhelmed and simply thought how great it would be to have someone pour into me. (I’m pretty sure every woman can relate to feeling sucked dry.) I told God what I needed, only to open my bible to Paul’s encouragement and direction for Timothy. I sensed it was also God’s encouragement to me, and I’m wondering if it might be an encouragement to you.There are four things we must do to keep heading in the right direction as we wait on the support we desire. In my last post, we saw the encouragement to be wise. Here's the second thing:
Be focused
In verse 13, Paul says, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”Timothy, a young ministry leader, was receiving this instruction from Paul. While much has changed since Timothy’s day, human nature is still the same. I’m sure this young leader had many people around him who had legitimate concerns and needs. He could have spent all of his time trying to meet those needs. Yet Paul is urging Timothy to protect himself from allowing good things to keep him from the most important thing: Above all else, his devotion must be to God’s Word.Paul was reminding this shepherd that what his people needed more than anything was for Timothy to teach them God’s Word and call them up to obey it. Not only was this critical for Timothy’s followers, but focusing on God’s Word was also Timothy’s lifeline. The only way Timothy would have anything to give the people in his care was dependent upon him focusing on God’s Word. Our devotion to God’s Word is just as critical if we’re going to have anything to pour into those we love.The word “devote” jumped off the page as I reflected upon Paul’s words. Every Christian knows to say that we are devoted to God. However, if we are gut level honest, many times we are more devoted to things of this world than things of eternal significance.What are you most devoted to? Your family? Your job? Your phone? Your workouts? Your Starbucks? Your Netflix?
- What gets more of your time or attention or loyalty before God, His Word, and using the gifts He has given you?
- What lesser thing could you stop doing to make time to focus on what is most important?