Passing the Baton of Leadership

Today’s Bible Reading:  Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 4

Journal Entry on a passage from today’s reading:

Topic: Leadership

SCRIPTURE:  2 Timothy 4:1-5

¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.  (2 Tim 4:1-5 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

When this passage was written, the Apostle Paul was nearing the end of his life and he knew it. Paul has finished his race (v. 7), and it was time to pass the baton to the next generation. He therefore gives this charge to his young protégé Timothy—a charge inspired by God to all who will answer the call to leadership in His Church:

• Preach the Word (other writings or philosophies must always be secondary to God’s Word)
• Always be prepared (whether it seems to be a good time or not, follow God’s leading to share His Word with others at any time)
• Lead patiently (be the leader God has called you to be—bringing correction, standing firm for the right, encouraging and building up those you are charged to lead, always with patience and understanding)
• Teach carefully (be diligent that your instruction is correct, righteous, and for the best benefit of those you teach and to the building of God’s kingdom)

  

APPLICATION:

As history draws us nearer and nearer to Christ’s appearing and His coming kingdom (v. 1), people seem to be more and more drawn away from godly teachings and toward philosophies that “say what their itching ears want to hear” (v. 3). As a Christian, I must take this charge to heart that I may keep my head in all situations, that I may endure the hardships and abuse the would heaps upon me, that I may do the work He has called me to do, just as Paul and Timothy and countless other leaders have done before me. The baton is now in my hand and I must prepare to pass it on soon.

PRAYER:

Lord, give me the strength, wisdom and endurance to fulfill Your calling upon my life. Help me to teach and prepare men and women to whom You have ordained that I pass the baton of leadership to in the near future.

Through Christ and for Your glory. Amen.  -AP