Poured Out

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
2 Timothy 4 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
Since late High School this chapter has been very meaningful to me. In fact, my first research paper in college was on verses 6-8. (Don’t worry. I’ll keep it brief!) 

Paul is calling on this young pastor, Timothy, to preach the word… to correct, rebuke, and encourage… all with great patience and careful instruction. He warns Timothy that people will not put up with sound doctrine, but will turn from truth to myths in order to satisfy what they want to hear (itching ears). Paul tells Timothy in the face of all this to “keep your head in all situations” and endure hardship.

Since the time that God called me into pastoral leadership in the church, I have returned to this chapter often. It has always struck me as a realistic and fitting job description and expectations for a pastor. It is one thing to have the spiritual gift of preaching, or teaching, or prophecy, or pastoring, or leadership, etc., but it is another thing to occupy that “office” in the church, to have that recognized role and responsibility. And Paul is giving Timothy sage advice for his pastoral role in his congregation.

This may sound like a pretty narrow devotional application, but if you are called by God to serve the church in an official, recognized capacity (what we often refer to as being “called into ministry”), then take a sober-minded approach to challenges of the position. Paul is not pulling any punches with young Timothy regarding the hardships of the role.

In fact, Paul goes on to share that he is pouring out his life in his service of the gospel, and that his death is imminent. I love the imagery he uses: “poured out like a drink offering.” His is literally laying down his life for Christ. The “time has come for my departure,” Paul says. This phrase in Greek was used to describe a ship leaving one port and going to another, or of someone breaking camp to move to another location. This is a great picture of death, simply untying the moorings and sailing to a different port. Death is not the end for those in Christ; it is simply a departure for a different place—one where we will enjoy the full presence and joy of God.

I had to give a brief speech before I was officially “licensed” to be a minister. In that talk I read verses 6-8, stating that I wanted one day to look back on my life and be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.” Of course, as an 18-year-old I had no idea how hard the fight would be, or how challenging the race actually is, or how tempting it is to put your faith and allegiance in something else besides Jesus. But it was the right goal then, and it still is 25 years later. 

May God give us all the grace to finish strong, to pour out our lives as an offering to Christ, knowing that Jesus is returning one day to fully establish his kingdom and to receive us as his own. Our labor in the Lord will not be in vain. As I get older, I more and more “long for his appearing,” for Christ to return so we can completely enjoy his loving reign and rule. Until then, may we all fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.


WHO AM I?
My name is Greg Bland, and I am the proud father of four children. Pictured is my 16-year-old daughter Morgan. While Leigh Anne and I are away for 5 days at a pastor’s conference, she is home taking care of Alexander, as well as going to school and working part time at Starbucks. She is incredibly responsible, smart, funny, beautiful, and she has a tender heart for the things of God. Did I mention that I am proud of her? J