He guards and I guard His gifts of power, love and self-control . . .

Stewardship is a biblical concept. It means careful and responsible management of something entrusted to me. This often refers to money, but it could mean my home, family, possessions, and every gift from God.

Paul wrote to pastor Timothy about the gifts God entrusted to him. They were spiritual abilities . . .

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. (2 Timothy 1:7–14, italics mine)

This passage is an encouragement to me. It says that God gave me power, love, and self-control and that He will guard these qualities entrusted to me. That is included in my calling to salvation and part of His saving power. He gives these to me, not because I’ve earned or deserve them, but because of His purpose and grace. He has good reasons that I should be able to do all He asks in a loving way and with wisdom and thoughtful awareness.

Having these godly gifts may result in suffering, yet I’m not to abandon them. Like Paul, I know the One in whom I believe and know that He will never take back the gifts that He gives.

However, none of His gifts are to be assumed safe without me cooperating. I’m to be a good steward who guards that which He has entrusted to me. The instruction here is to “follow the pattern of sound words” that are given in the Bible, doing so in faith and love that are in Jesus. I’m given the Holy Spirit to help me guard those very things that He has entrusted to me and promises to guard in me.

This is the mystery of godliness; knowing Christ and living in the power, love and self-control He gives, and yet at the same time, it is me doing the living. I’m not a robot for God, more like a glove filled with His hand, yet a supple and willing glove that is not to fight the direction and movement He asks of me.

I think of another picture; a wood chip floating down a stream. It can be caught and stopped by various distractions yet is supposed to cooperate with the water and keep moving with it, trusting it to take it where it is supposed to go, yet avoiding the traps and pitfalls that prevent that movement.

What prevents power? Fear and relying on self. What prevents love? Fear and selfishness. What prevents wise decisions? Pride and lack of faith, thinking I know the answers without God.

Faith comes from hearing God’s Word, so I am to listen to and follow the pattern of sound words written by Paul and other men of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Every situation of life needs that pattern because my way is different from (and inferior to) God’s way.

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Lord Jesus, as I spend time with You in Your Word and in conversation, keep me aware of my need for Your power, love and self-control and aware of how to use these gifts and how to guard them as a good steward. Bless You and thank You for Your care for me in every detail of life.

Today’s thankful list . . .

God’s gifts, none of them deserved.

The ability to sleep like a baby.

My hubby stayed home all day. Nice.

A friend gave me a large zucchini that is now muffins and a loaf.

A warm home on a cold day.

My Ott light, especially when the sun cannot be seen.

The Spirit is holy . . .

If thoughts of the Holy Spirit put images of ‘turn-or-burn’ fire-breathing preachers to mind, or images of people falling backwards in a trance, or becoming babbling fools, it is time to read what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. Here is just one passage that describes His work:

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” (2 Timothy 1:7–12)

The Spirit is a source of power but that power is not about domination or ruling over others. It is about love as defined by: “a strong, non-sexual affection and regard for a person and their good as understood by God’s moral character; especially characterized by a willing forfeiture of rights or privileges in another person’s behalf.”

This love is about wanting the best for others without putting self first. This love requires the next characteristic in this passage: self-control, which is another fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23). Self-control is self under control — under God’s control.

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24) Plainly, the love of the Holy Spirit does not rage out of control at sin or sinners nor does it turn them into zombie-like characters.

The Holy Spirit also helps God’s people be brave to tell others about Jesus Christ. In our humanness we can be fearful, even ashamed to be known as Christians, partly because we know there can be ridicule and persecution. But because of what Jesus Christ has done for us and because the Holy Spirit reminds us of what He has done, we are willing to suffer for what we believe. We are convinced that God will watch over and care for all that He has entrusted to us.

Life in the Holy Spirit is not a drama on a stage nor a spectacular series of events. While He can do amazing things, it is more about simple obedience that loves others and is not afraid to share with them the gospel of what Jesus Christ has done for me. While I love hearing the dramatic stories and having God answer prayer in startling ways, I know that these are not the norm for one simple reason: I would begin to glory in them instead of glorifying the awesome God who is responsible.

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Lord Jesus, I know that I’m to honor You in everything. Every breath that I take is because of Your goodness and grace. All that I have and am is because of Your generosity and kindness. This life is not mainly about the mountain top experiences but ordinary life and daily work on level ground — living in a way that honors You and does not draw attention to myself. Thank You for being here, for Your daily faithfulness and constant care.

What am I afraid of?

Most of my life, heights have bothered me. I could stand on an edge with a railing, but not too close. I could not watch movies or television shows with actors on the side of tall buildings, like Tom Cruise on Dubai’s tallest or dizzying shots of mountain climbers or skiers.

We went to Italy In May and one day drove from Florence to the Mediterranean on the freeway then back through the mountain roads. For the most part, I was on the cliff side of the car. For the most part, there were no guard rails. For the most part, I was terrified. I’d never been that high except in an airplane and while it was a clear day, the ‘bottom’ was often too far away to see or identify. I wanted to shut my eyes, but for some reason, that made my heart pound even harder. It was the worst “10-ticket ride” I’ve ever had!

However, this lofty experience did one positive thing; it cured my fear of heights. It took a while because for several nights I had bad dreams of soaring off a cliff into bottomless space, but now heights are not a big issue.

This trip and subsequent thoughts about it often remind me that God is not the author of fear . . .

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” (2 Timothy 1:5–14, italics mine)

This week, several people shared with me their life situations and concerns. At least two of them are filled with fears, some over life-threatening possibilities, and some over loss of control and other losses. Their stories brought home to me the reality that fear is a slave driver. It was holding them in bondage, keeping them from enjoying life to the full, just as my fear kept me from enjoying the vast splendor of that Italian mountain range.

Paul writes to Timothy and reminds him that God gave him faith, and that he needed to fan that spark into a flame, building it with the knowledge that faith comes with a spirit of power, love and self-control. Power is the ability to rise above natural forces and be victorious in situations because God is with me. Love is the attitude that is more concerned with others to the point that self-concerns are simply put aside. Self-control is being sensible and wise, not living in the flesh with it fears and foibles, but in the awareness of God’s power and ability to take care of me.

This passage says fearless living means no hesitation about sharing the Gospel out of being fearful of what people will think or do. it means no worry about losing my salvation or losing anything else that God has entrusted to me. It is being able to concentrate on the things of God without any reservation, knowing that God is in control of not only my life but the lives of others.

That said, I can easily apply that to the fears shared with me this week. I can easily say, “Isn’t God in charge?” Yet I can also hear the “Yes, but . . .” responses. I know what they are from my own experiences. I could easily cringe in terror with, “Yes, but what if the car brakes fail?” or “What if a cow walks across the road in front of us?” or any number of things a fearful imagination can come up with to justify itself.

Before he became a Christian, my hubby forbade our children to say, “what if” in speculation about anything. Now he realizes those words can be part of good planning but with limits. However, if they are said in fear of some event that may or may not happen, they indicate lack of faith in the sovereignty of God. God wants us to live in awe of Him not in fear of the what-ifs!

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Jesus, in reflection I realize the need to be sensible, but I also need to be fearless. I would not go out on a crumbling mountain slope without proper equipment, or ride a wild horse, or get on a Brahma bull (even though I once did all three) unless You directed these. But this is not what You are saying. Being fearless is about living my faith without fear of what might happen. It is also about trusting You to take care of anything that threatens me, including all those big and little things that turn my focus from faith to self-protection, to fussing about the ‘what ifs’ and worries that keep me from rising above threats and challenges, from loving others, from living in wisdom and under the control of the Holy Spirit. I also need to remember these things and be wise as others share their fears, not belittling them but turning their thoughts to You, the One who has saved them from sin and has the power to save them from all their fears.