Many children grow up playing sports. Their parents purchase uniforms, pay league fees, take them to practice, sign up for snacks and drinks, and cheer them on during the games. Mom and Dad want their child to have fun, make friends, play by the rules, win humbly, and lose gracefully.
In the greatest essay on love ever written, the Apostle Paul describes the fleeting nature of worldly knowledge. In contrast to the love that never fails, much of what we know on earth is destined to vanish as a poor reflection of reality.
Paul was several years older than Timothy and served as his mentor in ministry. He was profoundly concerned with the reserved attitude of his apprentice. In Paul’s experience, ministry required much greater boldness than Timothy was displaying.
From time to time, we all make a mess of things. Despite our very best intentions, we stain the carpet, misplace the borrowed item, or break the priceless heirloom. We do something irrational, say something unreasonable, or neglect an obligation we should have fulfilled.
Mention the word “tower” today and some will think of the September 11 attacks upon the World Trade Center. Others will think of Trump Tower, the mixed-use skyscraper owned by America’s 45th President. In earlier times, towers were seen as impregnable fortresses.
I have heard it said that things have a way of working themselves out. I do not believe it for a minute. Things are not at work. God is. He is in control. Every circumstance and situation is not ideal, but we serve a God who turns bad things into good things.
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