Come befoe winter...

2 Timothy 4

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:

2 Preach the word of God.

Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.

Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

  3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.

They will follow their own desires

and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

  5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.

Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord.

Work at telling others the Good News,

and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

  6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.

The time of my death is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,

and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.

And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Paul wrote those words to his adopted son, Timothy, shortly before Paul's death.

If you or I were writing what could be our last letter to our child, I doubt we'd mince words.

We'd make every words count.

So these mandates Paul gives Timothy bear a special weight, a singular message.

In verse 21, Paul says something poignant to Timothy, something you or I would probably say if we were in the same boat, so you know what was behind what Paul was saying...

“Do your best to come before winter.”

I wonder if Timothy made it?