Listen

Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly.

2 Timothy 2:15

Think

To understand verse 15, let’s also back up and look at verses 4 and 5. “Nobody who serves in the military gets tied up with civilian matters, so that they can please the one who recruited them. Also in the same way, athletes don’t win unless they follow the rules.”

Here’s a made-up example: you start taking piano lessons. After a few months, you’re starting to get the hang of it. Your friend has already been playing for a couple of years and sounds really good. One day you’re practicing but getting stuck on a particular piece. It’s frustrating. You think of your friend and tell yourself “I’ll never be as good as them.”

Ask yourself, “What’s more important: playing piano, or playing piano better than my friend?” Our job is not to compare ourselves to others or to our future selves, but to show up and attend to the task at hand, to the best of our abilities. Present yourself as a tried-and-true worker. This is one way we serve God.

Alex Flannagan

Pray

Dear God, grant me the humility and perseverance to accomplish the tasks you put before me, whether that’s learning the piano, loving a neighbor, or treating myself with kindness. Help me, especially in times of challenge, to keep my mind not closed but open, so that your Holy Spirit might work through me. I give you thanks, O Lord, for the gifts you have given me and will seek to use them in ways that are pleasing to you. In the name of your Son our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in heaven. Amen.

Go

Go unashamed and proudly, for God made you you.

You are a divine instrument of God’s peace.

No need to overthink it – go and play your song!