Imagine being fettered in chains and locked in a prison cell considering that the end of your life is near at hand. Such was St. Paul’s predicament when he wrote to Timothy, reminding him “to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control (2 Tim. 1:6-7).”
While not enmeshed in a situation as dramatic as St. Paul’s, each of us has experienced the paralysis of fear. Not surprisingly, since we are taught from childhood to be afraid: first from real dangers such as fire or rushing waters; later from any endeavor that may risk our finances, social status or cause us to veer off the center line of society’s norms. For all, there comes a time in our lives when we have failed someone or at something important to us and fear going forward.
With wrenched hearts we turn to God. Through His love and patience, we come to realize that we will never gain what is of value on our own. Rather, it is when we surrender our fears and failures and align our hopes and dreams to God that we receive the strength born out of faith.
St. Paul experienced this conversion, and with an obedient and humble heart he received the power of the Holy Spirit to heal the sick, perform miracles, and spread the word of God. Through our trials, we too continue to be called to “a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace” (2 Tim. 1:9). God grants us the gift of grace to fortify us in our walk as disciples.
There was a twenty-nine year span from St. Paul’s conversion to his first stay in prison. A missionary, he spent his life traveling from town to town proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Spurned, ridiculed, threatened with abuse and capture, he suffered many trials. Yet throughout, he experienced the joy of righteousness and truth. God disciplined and strengthened him, making him a man of self-control who could set his face like flint in front of his accusers without shame (Isaiah 50:7). In giving his life to serving God, St. Paul knew he would receive the “crown of righteousness” (2 Tim. 4:8) in his time of salvation.
It was in this backdrop that St. Paul wrote to his “beloved child” Timothy (2 Tim. 1:2), related not by blood but by faith. In all love bound by the Holy Spirit there is tenderness and affection that speaks to the soul. May we open our ears to hear God’s call and be lifted by His love.
And so I pray: Lord, grant that I may stir into flame all that you call me to do in your name.
