Contrary to the dark image Paul described in the previous verses, he now provides a few tips from his own experience that Timothy should also try and implement. Paul received this way of life from God. It is certainly still relevant for me and you today as guidance to living right:

¹⁰But you know from watching me that I am not that kind of person. You know what I believe and the way I live and what I want. You know my faith in Christ and how I have suffered. You know my love for you, and my patience.

The Message Bible lists it as follows: my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings. Each word a sermon on its own. The first is teaching or dogma.

Paul knew exactly from which angle he batted. He was not afraid to take on the church. He even stood up against the government of the time. He was not afraid to put his life on the line for what he believed in, because he knew it was the only truth.

He received it from God. No hardship, no prison, no king or power would succeed in changing his mind. His foundation was stable and firm. His house of faith could withstand the storm winds. He believed with everything in him in the Divine teachings and always lived them with passion.

I suspect we are so often overcome by pressure, because we don’t know precisely what we believe in. We run after any Tom, Dick and Harry, believing what they say. But are those their words or God’s words? We like to listen to people who say what we want to hear.

It’s not necessarily wrong, but we must make sure that our leaders’ foundations are built on God’s foundations. It is still our responsibility to make sure that we listen to the right voices.

There are many teachings in God’s Word. We must incorporate each of them in our foundation. Obviously, we then need to spend time in God’s Word. When we walk through God’s Word day-by-day, it starts making sense. With understanding comes certainty and our foundation grows stronger.

Then the winds, the challenges and hardships can come. It may not be easy, but we will be able to withstand it. Not because we are so strong, but because God is our foundation.

May God with his Spirit help us to strengthen our foundation all the time.

Scripture
2 Tim 3:10-13

Reflection
How firm is your foundation?
Do you live what you believe?
What should change?

Prayer
Lord, your Word gives me a firm foundation, showing me how You want me to live. Please help me stay faithful to the teachings of your Word so that I don’t stray from the truth. Amen.