But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.THE VERY LAST EPISTLE THAT THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE WAS 2 TIMOTHY. PAUL WANTED TO PASS ALONG THE THINGS THAT HE FELT TIMOTHY WOULD ALWAYS NEED TO HOLD ONTO IN HIS MINISTRY AND IN LIFE. PARTICULARLY LET’S FOCUS ON CHAPTER 4 VERSE 5 OF 2 TIMOTHY. IN IT PAUL TELLS TIMOTHY: “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.” NLT

PAUL WAS TELLING TIMOTHY AND US THAT LIVING A LIFE DEDICATED TO THE MASTER IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO BE EASY. WE LEARN QUITE A FEW THINGS IF WE CLOSELY STUDY PAUL’S LAST EPISTLE:

JUST LIKE A SOLDIER ON NIGHT DUTY GUARDING FROM A SURPRISE ATTACK, OR A LIFE GUARD ON A HOT SUMMER DAY AT THE POOL; WE HAVE TO BE VIGILANT AND ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE ENEMY. HE IS ALWAYS LARKING AROUND TRYING TO SABOTAGE OUR FAITH AND OUR WITNESS.
WE MUST ENDURE DURING THE HARD TIMES; DON’T RETREAT! KEEP REACHING OUT TO THE LOST, KEEP TOSSING THAT LIFELINE OUT TO THOSE DROWNING IN THE SIN. NEVER GIVE UP ON THE MINISTRY OF WINING SOULS FOR CHRIST.

PAUL DIDN’T WANT TIMOTHY TO GO THROUGH HIS WHOLE LIFE ONLY TO HAVE MISSED OUT ON GOD’S PURPOSE FOR HIS LIFE. NOR DOES GOD WANT YOU TO MISS OUT ON THE REASON HE HAS PUT YOU WHERE YOU ARE. GOD DOESN’T WANT US TO MISS OUT ON THE MINISTRY HE HAS FOR YOU AND I; OUR MINISTRY’S WILL LAST OUR ENTIRE LIVES. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WANTS US TO COMPLETE OUR LIVES SATISFIED WITH HOW WE HAVE LIVED IT FOR HIM. EVERY DAY THAT HE WAKES US IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO MINISTER TO SOME LOST SOUL FOR HIM. DESPITE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST THE LORD STILL WANTS TO USE US EVERY DAY.