Paul continually encouraged young leaders. He wrote to Timothy, fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Don’t hold back. Apparently Timothy tended toward reticence, but Paul urged him to step out with confidence. Imbued with the Holy Spirit, Timothy moved from timidity to godly assertiveness.

The Holy Spirit, given to Timothy and each true believer in Jesus, carries certain characteristics into our lives. One is power. We’re filled with a power from without, a reliance on the Lord and new abilities beyond ourselves. An immediate outcome of this power? Love. Not dominance or control, but a tiny slice of God’s unhindered love.

Self-discipline follows. Our worst natures, the tendency to wander, actions and attitudes we hide or disguise all shrink before the power of God. Again, not a power over others, but an increasing power over ourselves in order to serve others.

Paul pressed Timothy to remember the Lord’s gift and strengthen his backbone. I pray for such fortitude as well. Here’s a prayer you and I can bring to God today:

Lord, fill me with your Holy Spirit and direct me with his ways. Let me experience power leading to love and self-discipline. May your power lead me, and those I connect with, to your paths.

2 Timothy 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Shivansh Upadhyay