Day at the Races: And They’re Off! — TUESDAY
1 Timothy 4:12b
Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (NLT)
There’s some rule of thumb that says you have to do something for 10,000 hours before you become an expert at it. You’re not an expert mechanic or blacksmith or marine biologist until you’ve spent 10,000 hours intensively studying and practicing that thing. So let’s be honest—unless one of you out there was a child prodigy (most of us aren’t, no matter how good your grandma said you were at clarinet), we probably aren’t experts in most things.
The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert to be an example. In our verse today, Paul gave Timothy a very specific list of ways to exemplify a godly life and increase his viability as a leader: through what he said, how he lived, how he loved, his faith, and his purity.
Take notice that the ways Paul instructs Timothy don’t begin with ability, but with godliness. What does that mean for those of us trying to grow in trustworthiness and credibility? I think it’s this: Start with character, and skill will come.
My role here at Southland is to help lead a residency program that trains up young adults who are called into ministry. Can I be honest with you? There are more than a handful of times where I have thought, There is no way I should be allowed to do this. I’m 26 years old, I don’t know anything, I’m going to fail, and no one will listen to me or take me seriously because I’m barely even old enough to rent a car, much less lead other people.
That insecurity in my lack of ability will start to creep in. But the best way for me to combat that is NOT to act prideful, or just “fake it ‘til I make it,” or summon up some kind of false confidence to make it seem like I know what I’m doing. It IS to make the first things first and do whatever I do with faith, love, and purity. That speaks deeper to the heart of people than my ability to lead a good meeting or organize an event or teach a lesson. My life is a better apologetic for the gospel than my skill. And that’s not age-restrictive.
Thank goodness we don’t have to be an expert to be an example!
Tuesday’s Reflection
If you know (or are) a young adult who might feel called to ministry but needs some training and help to get there, check out the Southland Residency Program!
