“Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance” (1 Timothy 4:7b-9, ESV).
I shared last week how God recently took me through 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus to guide my thinking about the year ahead. I plan to spend a chunk of the year slowly reading, meditating, and studying these epistles. They’re so rich!
One passage that has spoken to me is quoted above. I was talking with God about plans for the future and frustrations with the present. I’m a dreamer; sometimes, I get disheartened when things don’t work out or happen as I hoped. God brought me to the verses above and then said this to me:
Stop trying to accomplish something great and start trying to be somebody great.
He also reminded me of something one of my seminary professors said years ago:
“You worry about the depth of your relationship with God. Let God worry about the breadth of your ministry.” ~ Dr. Sajan Mathews
To put it in the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy: “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.”
When I die, I want people to say three things about me. First: “He loved Jesus.” Second: “He loved his family.” And third: “He was a great man.” I don’t care so much whether people talk about my accomplishments, work, or hobbies.
If I become a great husband, a great dad, a great pastor, a great friend, and a great neighbor, my life will accomplish something great in God’s kingdom. It might not look as great as the world thinks it should—greatness in the kingdom is measured by a different standard. But, if I worry about the depth of my relationship with God and leave the breadth of my impact up to him, he’ll take what I have to offer and do something greater than I could even comprehend.
What is God speaking to you these days?