Be. An. Example.
Growing up the oldest, I was a leader by default but "leading by example" was burdensome. People expected way more out of me than I wanted to give at times. But here's the thing. Why didn't most of my leaders highlight this second part of what Paul was saying? He was telling his son to be an example in his conversation, in his conduct, in his love, in his faith, and finally, in his purity.
So essentially, what Paul was saying was, "Look. You're not too young to live a separated lifestyle. You have a call on your life. Remember that. You can do this; but even more than this - this is a mandate, kinda. This is the expectation. This is how you should talk. This is how you should act. This is how you treat people. This is who you are."
Perhaps, maybe the problem with our youth and young adults (and even adults) is that we're not challenging them to be examples in the things Paul charged Timothy to be an example in. Perhaps, adults didn't want to put themselves in a position to say, "You be an example," because they themselves weren't examples in how they talked, in how they loved, and etc.
One thing I found frustration in as a child was having to measure up to these expectations but I saw hardly anyone being the example. So it was easy to make excuses to curse, to drink, to sex, to be defiant. Yes, I heard loud and clear what not to do but in your youth, it's much easier to do what you see versus do what you're told - especially for a young leader.
So it came to me, we're called to live lifestyles of holiness - not just for us but to others. Our lives are not to be lived for our sinful desires, but rather to be the salt and light that we were designed to be. Taking my fire experiences into account (you can read about that here), it makes so much sense why Father Yahweh would not leave me in my sins.
Paul was a perfect example to Timothy, and I'm sure that Timothy was a righteous fruit from his instruction. This is the order of spiritual growth. Just as older women are supposed to teach younger women, older men are supposed to teach younger men.
This, my sisters and brothers, is the cycle of life. This is the cycle of spiritual maturity. This is how we produce fruit. Disciples are to be discipled first and then sent out to do the works of the Father and continue discipliship. Timothy continued to grow from a young Christian, to a young pastor and as I read, a Bishop. I would say the king was definitely an example.
So, here's what I leave you with - #aCall2Purity is a move to action. It's a call to those that hear the voice of their spirit crying out for a different kind of lifestyle. You may not quite know what is engulfed in this lifestyle, but you know two things: 1. You're tired of living like you've been living and you know the Most High is convicting you to change and 2. You know there has to be better.
Here's my challenge: Come back next week for "#aCall2Purity: Example in Word" and meditate this week on 1 Timothy 4:12! In the meantime, check out the last blog The Consuming Fire as well as the prayer books by clicking the left bar! Until next week...
I 'agape' you!
#zoedeespeaks