BE the reminder?
Young Timothy was a bit worried about his age. And perhaps understandably so, because here in 2021 we don’t have a monopoly on people inappropriately dismissing other people who are different in age, race, and other categories. And if anything, first century Israel was even more guilty of thinking that gray hair entitled you to be the only “wise” voice in the conversation.
Paul, Timothy’s mentor, en-courage-d him otherwise, including in a couple letters that we still read in our New Testaments today. Not only was Timothy to be an unashamed workman in the faith, he was to actively refute heretical teaching and teachers (2 Ti 2:14-19).
The letter may have been written to Timothy, but God preserved it for us. Interestingly, one of Paul’s points is wrapped up in the context of the word “remind.” When he says “Remind them of these things…” (2 Ti 2:14a, CSB), the imperative is ongoing, as in “keep reminding” them.
It’s almost like God knew in advance that we’d be forgetful, that we’re wired to “use it or lose it.” We need to be reminded of His goodness, truth, and beauty, but part of living in community includes the charge that we are also to be doing the reminding.
As the writer of Hebrews put it, “…let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching." (He 10:24–25, CSB). To be sure, we all like meeting in person, but being a reminder isn’t limited by proximity in today’s world.
So here’s a reminder: How are you making sure that you get reminded? Whether it’s Follower of One’s daily encouragement or one of many daily audio Bibles, putting on your own oxygen mask is likely the most powerful step you can take in making sure that you’re ready in heart and mind to be that reminder for someone else.
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ForTheHope’s Daily Audio Bible is, well, a daily audio Bible reading.. We read through the New Testament in about 10 months and the Old Testament in about 14 months with a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. And all that blah blah blah means nothing if he doesn’t help you fall more in love with Jesus and the people in Jesus’ world.
