The other day in my personal reading time, I came across this passage that I couldn’t help but read at least ten times.
Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
Paul is writing to Timothy and urging him to use the giftedness he has been given, along with the need to read the Bible and tell others about Jesus. While Paul is telling him that it is a process that others will see, and the ultimate goal is that it will save Timothy and his followers from false teaching. That was a goal and the process was how to achieve it.
I still remember the first time we took our three daughters on a flight. We were traveling to Boston to see my wife’s family. We had planned a great trip with time in the city, going to Cape Cod for a couple of days, and if I was lucky, catching a game at Fenway. It was so much fun planning out what we were going to do when we got there, but the only thing our girls would talk about is the plane ride.
Will we get snacks on the plane? What does it feel like when we take off? How big are the bathrooms on the plane? Will I be able to meet the pilot?"
No matter how many times we talked about all the great things we had planned, they couldn't get past the plane.
How many times as followers of Christ do we do this? We get so caught up in the process of Christian life or the Christian culture that we forget that God has a goal for us: go to the ends of the earth and proclaim his name.
I think it's important that Paul reminds Timothy, in the passage above, that his goal will be reached if he continues to work towards it. So, while growing daily in our relationship with God is vital and worth enjoying, if we forget our ultimate goal and purpose, our practice will be in vain.
Reflection: What Is Our Goal?
What is our goal as believers? Read Matthew 28:19-20 and then write out your goals as a believer. Once we have a goal, we need to remember to keep aiming towards it. What are some ways you can remind yourself of your goal as a believer on a regular basis?
