Perspectives

Philippians 2:19-22 . . . 19) I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20) I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21) For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22) But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. (NIV)

Strange how things change as we age, we sometimes think we are so independent that we really do not need the friendship and help of others. But we read that the apostle Paul needed his friend Timothy to cheer him up. “There is no one like Timothy who has a real interest in you,” he says. “All the others seem to be worrying about their own plans and not those of Jesus Christ.”

The apostle Paul sounds like me or us … We all need companionship. Can you imagine what this world would be like without people who stand with us during the good times and hard times? Let us face it; we need friends to help us through life. Friends who share the same interests we do.  Friends like; Pastor Norm Dyck (Executive Secretary, Church Engagement Mennonite Church Canada) who helps me with this column each month. Before I release the column for circulation, he reads the column and gives his special insight on how I can improve what you eventually read. This has made an enormous difference in my mind-set. Pastor Norm has been helpful and generous with his time. I must admit I sometimes think I do not need his help, I think I can go it alone. However; it does not take very long for me to come to my senses and find that I am not as independent as I thought I was.

Did you know that we are important to God? That is right! Actually we are His greatest success story. He put into us His very likeness. It was for the salvation of all of us that Christ went to the cross and died, and it will be for us that He will someday return. As you likely do, there are some questions that I struggle with as a Christian today. Questions like: Is my life being changed? Is my knowledge in the Lord Jesus Christ increasing? Am I more mature this year than I was last year? What about my thought-life, is it becoming more Christ-like? Faith is a forever journey of learning, growing and maturing. God has called us to live as practical down-to-earth Christians; a model of Christ. By that I mean God invites us to live transformed lives that are a reflection of the very image of Christ. Then we can reflect our faith in sensible ways that will really have an impact on others.

Timothy had a special relationship with Paul … they were so to say soul-mates. Their ideas were much the same, they had the same vision, and they were in step with each other’s ministry. They could rely on each other for advice and help. However, the most important part of their relationship was that Paul sought to impart his wisdom and understanding of faith to Timothy. Paul took a significant interest in Timothy’s life inviting, challenging and encouraging him to grow into a deeper faith relationship with Christ.

Most of us have many good friends; we must admit that some are, however, closer than others. But finding someone who we can share our confidential thoughts with is a bit uncommon today. Many people never consider finding a mentor or someone they can mentor along life’s journey. Timothy walked and talked the way Jesus did. He did not show off his stuff. He lived out what he had heard and seen from his mentor and friend, the apostle Paul.

Paul and Timothy never tried to be a substitute for Jesus. Their messages were identical, that the love of Christ reaches out to us and waits for us to reach back in faith to Him. Their message was that Christ could change our hearts and transform our lives. Who else but Christ was able to remove not only our sins, our guilt, our shame and restore us to a new and redeemed life in Him? … To God be the glory

Would you pray this prayer with me … “Lord Jesus, come into my heart; forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen