Be Still And Know

2 Timothy 4:1-2 We are all aware that other people are looking at us, and that is particularly true of Christian leaders. Because of the public nature of the role, people are constantly making judgments about us, whether we like it or not. This is challenging for everyone, but particularly those who, like Timothy, are still relatively inexperienced. It is easy to become anxious and overly defensive, but Paul reminds his young friend that the only audience which really matters is God himself. It is God’s judgment which is crucial. Timothy needed to live his life with a constant awareness that, one day, he would need to give a full account of what he had done. Preaching was at the heart of Timothy’s ministry. It was vital that people should clearly understand the faith and be encouraged to live by it. But, like any task, preaching has good days and bad days. There are times when it is joyful and easy to preach, and others when it is sheer hard work. Often people are eager to hear what you have to say and, a