There is a quote in the movie “We Bought a Zoo” that has stuck out to my friends and me. The quote is, “sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage.” While I understand the sentiment, and the quote reminds me to be courageous, there is more we need than courage to live bravely. We need the Holy Spirit. We need the Holy Spirit to help us and give us courage and boldness to live for Him.
2 Timothy 1 issues a call for Christ’s followers to live boldly. In this chapter, Paul called Timothy to live out the gifts that God had given him. He reminded Timothy of the faith that ran in his family through his mother and grandmother and told him that their faith continued through him (verse 5). He then instructed Timothy, “Fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you” (verse 6). Paul told Timothy to keep living out the faith practiced through his grandmother, mother, and now him. Next, he told him why to keep living out his faith. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (verse 7). Paul reminded Timothy that he had the Holy Spirit living with Him, and the spirit brings power, love, and self-discipline. Therefore, the Spirit would help Timothy to live out his faith with power and boldness, regardless of his situation.
The power and boldness of the Holy Spirit that Paul described to Timothy are available to you and me today. Like Timothy, the Spirit gives us the boldness to live out a lifestyle dedicated to Christ. This means boldness to obey God when it is difficult, to share our faith even when it is not popular, and to speak truth even when it is hard to hear. This is the power of the Holy Spirit. So let’s commit to living boldly in the power of the Spirit, not just today but every day. All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage to make a lasting difference!
Is there something you know God has been calling you to do but have been nervous about? Maybe God has been leading you to share your faith with someone, but you have been worried about sharing your faith, or maybe you have been feeling called to invite a friend or family member to one of our weekend services, but you have felt concerned or worried that you will get nervous or they will not accept your invitation. Whatever the case, remember that you have the power of the Holy Spirit, who will give you the words, confidence, and boldness as you take those steps. Do one thing today to take the step that you know God has been leading you to take.
"This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles."
