October 7, 2010
2 Timothy 4
Pastor John Edwards
It wasn’t the moment that will keep me out of the Basketball Hall of Fame (since there was never a chance anyway,) but it felt like it at the time.
What a great group of boys that Ted Gaillard and I had the privilege to coach…9 and 10 year olds, as I recall. Ted’s son Kyle survived the experience, since he now plays for William and Mary after a great high school career at North Mecklenburg. Sadly I had nothing to do with it, and there’s still been no call from the Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Yet that “Cornhuskers” team (the league was called the “Big Eight”) ran the table in the Huntersville Youth Athletic Association, going into the season-ending tournament as the top seed. Then came the fateful day when shots wouldn’t fall, defensive footwork was lethargic, rebounds went the other way and minds were seemingly elsewhere. I remember the frustration of just not being able to pull it all together, perhaps the result of some deluded overconfidence.
The highly-favored team lost that day – consistent during the regular season, but just the opposite after that.
That’s why I find myself applauding Paul’s strong coaching challenge to Timothy regarding his Highly-favored ministry: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Consistency wins the prize.
Although there’s no evidence that he ever actually said it, St. Francis of Assisi is commonly attributed with this gem of wisdom, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.”
Of course, it’s often appropriate to use words, as long as they’re consistent with the testimony of our lives. 1 Peter 3:15-16a explains it this way: “Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick.” (The Message translation)
I want to live that kind of “Teflon” life “in season and out of season,” marked by patience, endurance and faith in God that “preaches the Word” daily. After all, you and I are highly favored through vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. From that foundation - regardless of circumstances and conditions – we can consistently “fight the good fight” and win…even against the full-court press of life.
Pastor John, who facilitates strategic planning at Grace Covenant, has a “C/I/D” personality blend, reflecting pursuit of correctness, a take-charge tendency and passion for “process interaction.”
