2 Timothy 2:1
You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (CSB)

What images are evoked when you hear the word strong? Do you think of an Olympic weightlifter or a professional athlete? Maybe an action movie hero, a Herculean warrior, or even a President leading people through a time of war? From the world’s perspective, none of these images would necessarily be wrong, but this isn’t the kind of strength Paul was encouraging Timothy to lean into. Notice that Paul doesn’t just tell Timothy to be strong, but rather “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” What I believe Paul is telling Timothy in this verse is to trust completely in Jesus and His might, and not try to live by Timothy’s own strength.

See, the amazing thing about God’s strength is that it is given to us freely, by His grace, so much as we lean into it. It is a gift that we do not deserve, yet we can tap into whenever needed. Oftentimes, the Kingdom of God looks way different (or even backward) from the world. What I mean by that is what the world perceives as strong is actually weak, and what the world perceives as weak is actually strong. With this perspective in mind, let’s refer back to my original question. What images are evoked when you hear the word strong? This time, add ‘the grace that is in Christ Jesus,’ to that.

When I hear that, I think of the recovering alcoholic who has to trust in God to carry them through each day as they fight the temptations of the bottle. I think of the single mom who has to rely on God’s power to get her through the days of raising and providing for a family on her own. I think of the cancer patient, battling depression, who has to trust in Jesus just to help them out of bed in the morning. That is who I think of when I hear the phrase, ‘be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus!’

Monday’s Reflection

Who do you think of when you hear the phrase, ‘be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus!’? Hopefully, you think of yourself! It is you who God wants to carry through whatever you are facing!