Word Play: Account Ability - Friday
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (NLT)
If you know me, you know I love to eat. I went to school at Campbellsville University, and it’s exactly what you would expect for your small town college atmosphere in Kentucky. There were way too many Mexican restaurants, a cheap Chinese joint, fast food options, and one killer barbecue spot. If you’re ever in Campbellsville, stop by Brothers Barbecue and grab a Pig in the Orchard sandwich. An incredible pulled pork sandwich with a fried apple on top with the best cowboy beans and fries on the side. Wow…
As I was sitting down at Brother’s one day across from one of the wisest men I know, I realized that I will never be able to repay that man for the investment he has made in my life. He’s helped me grow tremendously as a follower of Jesus, husband, and soon-to-be father. He’s challenged me, held me accountable, and taught me invaluable lessons. He’s well ahead of me in years, but we all need people in our lives who are ahead of us—people who we can look up to and say, “I hope to be faithful, obedient, and wise like _______ one day.”
We need friends who lock arms with us and do life with us, too. Peter and Paul were like brothers in the Bible. They held each other accountable and challenged each other to keep going and to be faithful. We all need friends who are willing to do that for us and willing to let us do that for them, too—friends willing to go beyond the surface-level friendships that so many of us settle for.
It’s also essential that we invest in younger people. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul is writing to a young church leader he has taken under his wing. Paul discipled Timothy by bringing him along on his missionary journeys, showing Timothy how to teach and how to be a faithful leader. Paul intentionally invested in Timothy.
We need people ahead of us, beside us, and behind us. It’s the example set for us by Jesus and the early church, and we will do well to follow it.
Friday’s Reflection
Who’s ahead of you that you look up to? Who are the people “beside you” that you’re investing in? Who are you investing in that’s younger than you?