Listen

I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom. Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

Think

The words preach, correct, and confront make many of us nervous. What exactly does “preach” mean? Are we being told to stand on a street corner with a mega-phone? And not only do we have to preach but we must also walk around correcting and confronting people. This sounds like a non-confrontational introvert’s worst nightmare.

If we look at social media, we can see that the world already has enough confrontational people correcting everyone’s mistakes from fashion to faith. We are pretty sure the world does not need any more correctors.

But then we read the last line, the part that changes it all. We are to encourage with patience.

Encourage. Patience. They are only two words, but if we miss them, we miss it all.

In a world of correctors, we need encouragers. In a world of constant pushing to be and do more, we need people of patience.

Today, how can you be an encourager? How can you show someone patience and grace? How can you preach the Gospel, not with your mouth but with your life?

Kelli Kirksey

Pray

God,
Today I confess
That my life has not always reflected your love.

Give me the courage
To preach with my words
To preach with my life.

Amen.

Go

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk up on the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour

Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, and Salomon Ligthelm in “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” (2013)