Paul employed sports metaphors in his writings, making me think that he would have enjoyed the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. In 2 Timothy, his last letter written before his death, Paul recognizes that his time on earth is drawing to a close—the time of my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (4:7).

In the previous paragraph, Paul charged Timothy, the young pastor, to preach the word, to endure hardship, to keep his head in all situations, and to realize that people often choose their own desires over sound doctrine.

That’s all part of the race.

Not all of Paul’s companions finished the race. Demas loved the world and deserted. Alexander harmed Paul a great deal. Others simply faded away.

The race of the Christian life emerges as a marathon rather than a sprint. The encouragement to endure underscores this reality. I need to run long and hard.

Like Timothy, I take encouragement from Paul’s words. The way is long, the fight is real, but the reward is worth it.

Keep the faith.

2 Timothy 4 in week twenty-seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Mārtiņš Zemlickis

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

Hmmm…

I hope to live a godly life in Christ Jesus, so must I face persecution? Engaging in missions over the years, mostly with college students, I’ve been ridiculed and mocked, called names and ignored. While this might count as persecution, it fails to compare to what other Christians around the world face (check out the World Watch List on the most difficult places in the world to follow Jesus).

However, I feel the winds blow. My personal views differ from the ascendent societal norms on a slew of topics, including sports betting, recreational drug use, sexuality, gender, child-rearing, politics and tattoos, and that’s just off the top of my head. I confront these diverging views daily.

How did I get to such differing perspectives? The study and application of the Scriptures—God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness—led me down this road less traveled. Over the years the roots of these scriptures sank deep, and there’s no tugging them out. And why would I want to?

I often hear quoted Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken, particularly his closing line, as a guide to life in our individualistic, and intensely narcissistic, American culture:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Ironically, anyone who chooses to study and live out the teachings of the Bible takes a road less-traveled. That said, those dedicated to the scriptures often fail to gain applause from cultural influencers holding to a “less-traveled road” creed. Not all roads lead to acceptance—some route to persecution and difficulty.

But that’s how it’s always been, as Paul warns Timothy. I hope to follow the teachings of the Scriptures with open eyes and a soft heart toward those around me, understanding that the ways of the world continually fail to yield human flourishing, while life and peace come from the good hand of the Lord.

That’s a road to travel.

2 Timothy 3 in week twenty-seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Sebastian Unrau

This morning, with my first sip of coffee barely registering, I read this—Do not let your mouth lead you into sin (Ecclesiastes 5).

I next turned to the right in my Bible, and met this caution sign—Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly (2 Timothy 2).

Might the Lord be sending a message?

Two warnings, written 1,000 years apart, both materializing before me in my early morning stupor. I should probably stop typing right now and let this all settle, but I’ll risk one thought before I go.

Meaningless chatter engulfs us. We swim in it, and avoiding it takes active measures. I make conscious efforts to turn off social media, to delete apps from my phone, to tune out radio talk shows. But the chatter shows no mercy.

Paul gives the antidote—the word of truth. As opposed to a fetid well of blather, the word of truth springs up with brightness and clarity. Its freshness remains life giving. Paul encourages his protege Timothy, along with me and you, to learn to correctly handle this marvelous gift.

Now I’ll stop typing.

Ecclesiastes 5 & 2 Timothy 2 in week twenty-seven of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo of Big Spring, Missouri thanks to the National Park Service