Devotionals

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“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: ‘You said, “Woe is me now! For the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.”’
“Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land. And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”’” - Jeremiah 45:2-5
 
"and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith," - 1 Thessalonians 3:2

The word “fellow” is not a word that is used today, but it is still an intriguing word-maybe because of the lack of use.

One of the definitions for this word is “peer” or “equal”. Paul is using this word in the quote above in describing Timothy. Would it not be a an awesome thing to be considered Paul's equal?

Please note that the question I state above begins from a faulty premise. Paul was not elevating himself, as my question implies elevation. In fact he was not elevating Timothy. He was simply stating a truth. Timothy was Paul's fellow because of a common task they were seeking to accomplish, even if not accomplished together.

I think we naturally have a tendency to seek great things for ourselves, like prestige and fame, or even the love of another. We often fantasize of doing or having something great. We can still do this as a child of God, especially when we read what others have done as related in the Bible. But they were not great because of who they were or what they could do or had done. They were great because of a great God.

Imagine this: we have a common heritage with Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, or Baruch, Jeremiah's secretary. What they had access to is what we also have in our favor, because of Favor. God promised Baruch that the whole world would suffer adversity. I believe this includes the children of God. The rain falls on both the just and the unjust. Hopefully in the end we will find ourselves grateful that we have been given our lives as a prize to us.

I have a bunch of talents and gifts. I am a talented drawer (with a degree in Commercial Art) as well as a writer. I also can play percussion and I can sing. Then there are the spiritual gifts I have, a few of which are evident in this writing. I am blessed to say the least.

These abilities can trip me up, though. I am realizing I am pursuing great things, when I should pursue the Great One. After all, when someone gives us something what are we drawn to, the gift or the giver? What do we elevate? Are my gifts and talents going to save me? If I am in a good place, how did I get there? Was it my training or know-how?
 
Who created my mind or my spirit?

Some of my brothers and sisters say I should seek to be published, and they do so out of good intentions. They desire for my success. I believe that the heroes of the Bible did what they did not because of something they pursued, but because of Whom they pursued. When we look at what they did we have to conclude their success was derived because of the Lord in their life and that no one, especially the pursuers, could say differently.

Would we want to say that for ourselves? I believe I do. It seems to me the path that begins with personal desires and wants ends with empty discontentment and self-pity.

But then anyone reading this may find themselves with a choice.

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