What Matters Most (The Book of 2 Timothy)Sample

REFLECT

Where was that horrible smell coming from? Every time I opened the pantry door, a faint rotten odor escaped, and third time was the charm. I could stand it no longer and threw open the door to follow my nose down to the floor. Pulling out some bigger boxes of oatmeal, I discovered the culprit. One small potato had escaped from the bag at some point over the course of time and instead of drying up quietly, this potato decided to make its presence known. I refused to pick it up and grabbed a plastic grocery bag from the dispenser to dispose of Mr. Stinky Potato. Did I decide to never eat another potato again? No way. One stinky potato wasn’t going to ruin my future smothered baked potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes or delicious sweet potato casserole. It would be silly to allow that to happen!

In Paul’s notes to Timothy, today’s Bible verses include an explanation of “vessels,” which is a parallel description of the people God uses to do his work. His encouragement to Timothy is to keep his life free from sin, pure and holy before God. God wants to do his work through people who honor his ways.

Just like my determination to dispose of stinky potatoes hiding in pantries, the Lord longs for us to discard habits or areas of our lives that do not reflect a heart pure before him. He doesn’t throw everything out in the pantry because of one “rotten potato,” but he knows our best work will be done with a clean conscience and holy heart.

PRAY

Father, help me recognize anything in my life that is not pure before you. I know that sin was and is never part of your plan and my desire is to be used by you. Amen.

CHAT

Why do you think we wait until the sin “smells” before we ask for forgiveness? What is one way you could begin to keep a short account with God by confessing sin and accepting grace each day?