Unsung Heroes: Zeal of Timothy — Wednesday
Acts 16:1-5
Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. (NIV)
Zeal is defined as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” In this passage, it’s so clear that Timothy was a young person full of zeal. He was asked to go on a journey with Paul to spread the gospel to the Jews and Gentiles, and it seems like he was quick to respond to the call. There is no mention of him hesitating or telling Paul, “Give me a few weeks to think about it, and I’ll get back to you.” He courageously and boldly said yes to what God was asking him to step into with joy and passion.
In my own life, the Lord has asked me to step into some things that seemed too big or too scary, or even too inconvenient. Late in the summer, I was asked to lead worship at a camp in Georgia a week before I was supposed to leave for a mission trip. The timing, the camp, the people I would be leading with, and just the opportunity in and of itself was clearly something God had orchestrated, but I still hesitated. I didn’t really want to say yes, and I kept trying to make excuses for not being able to go. Finally, after thinking about it for a while, I clearly heard the Lord say to me, “Hannah… I have asked you to do this. Are you willing to sacrifice your conveniences and your preferences for my kingdom?” After getting hit with that conviction, I reluctantly said yes, and found myself driving down to Georgia 12 hours later. And to be real with you all, I was not excited. Not only did my car not have A/C, but it was also mid-July, and it was HOT. The camp was in the middle of nowhere, and I just couldn’t help but feel frustrated while I drove down. Why had God asked me to do this? But when I arrived at the camp, I understood why God had put me there, even for a few short days—and my whole perspective shifted.
How often do we lack zeal when God asks us to step out in faith and trust Him? Big or small, all these things matter for His kingdom.
Wednesday’s Reflection
Ask God to give you joy and zeal for His kingdom. Ask Him to fill you with excitement for what He has called you to do, and ask Him to continue to reveal areas you can trust Him with and in.