Thursday, October 2
2 Timothy 1:1-7
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6 For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
“… 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. …”
She was being stoic, but we could tell she was nervous and scared. We were also. After all, leaving your child in their own apartment for the first time is nerve-wracking. Tears filled all our eyes as we said goodbye. Even though we’d see her again and again the coming week – her apartment was not far from our home – it seemed as if we were saying farewell forever.
Perhaps that was Paul’s experience with Timothy the last time they saw each other. From the apostle’s words, it seems to have been a tearful farewell. Whatever the reason for their separation, the love shared between them remained. Now Paul longed for the reunion. He anticipated a joyous re-gathering and couldn’t wait for that to happen.
When love unites people, tears flow both at separation and at reunion. Sadness and joy are experienced by both because even when separated by distance, mutuality of care, love, and joy unite them. So too it is with our Lord and us. Even though we are separated from the Lord by sin, Jesus’ love for us remains. He longs for our return – to celebrate the reconciliation that happens through the cross and empty tomb. When that happens, joy abounds.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us so much that You died to deliver us from sin. Give me the joy of Your saving help this day and always. Amen.