The Last Basecamp
Albert Bogle
January 07, 2017
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2 Timothy 4
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
There is something quite honest and noble about today’s reading. It’s the story of the last basecamp. Paul in conversation with his young protege Timothy urges him to be faithful in his preaching and teaching. He invites Timothy to be faithful and loyal, to speak a word for the Lord in and out of season. In other words Paul reminds Timothy not to be a fair weather preacher. He must speak out even if the message is not going to be received with great applause.
In a few days or months Paul may well face lions and be pulled apart limb by limb in the Roman arena. However as he prepares to face his last great struggle. He chooses to reflect on how far he has come. I wonder if he has a slight smile on his face as he writes; I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course I have kept the faith. What an amazing statement from a man who started out persecuting and murdering the followers of Jesus. It is not how you start that matters it’s how you finish. For those who know they have reached the last basecamp make sure you finish well. Now is not the time to give up to comprise to seek the short cut. Its time to keep the fight the good fight and keep the faith. All of heaven is watching.
Lord
There comes a time
When there will be no more new adventures
No more Sundays
No more new beginnings
Just time to reflect
On the things that really matter
Did I do my best?
Did I live for truth?
Did I live for you?
Lord forgive the times when I have failed for they are many
And give me the days ahead to make amends
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