The second example that Paul gives to Timothy and to us is the way that he walks through life or one could say his way of life. We know about Paul’s BC days, in other words Before Christ. He was harsh and hard and hunted Christians like wild animals.

But then came the moment in his life when he had an experience with the Holy God that changed his life radically. Where he used to hunt others, he became the hunted. But even that sword hanging over his head all the time did not prevent him from whole-heartedly walking God’s path in the world.

You see, when Paul tackled something, he did it fully. As we said on the farm: He did it flat box, which meant he went all out.

That’s exactly how we should go through life. Full-out for Christ. The world needs God’s message of salvation so much and we need to get that message to the world as quickly as possible. That’s the way that we should walk through life.

Where we work, where we play, where we walk through the world, we must simply serve God in the way we do it. When I carry out the boss’s instructions, I must do it to the best of my ability. It may be the only picture of Jesus your boss may ever see.

My walk of life must guide people to God. Whether it’s in church or at work, my way of life must proclaim God’s message of salvation everywhere. I learned a lesson from Dawie. He said:

Sometimes the small things you do have more power than big gestures!

In 2014 we suffered badly financially and I could not give my wife a bunch of flowers or a card for our 45th anniversary!

In the garden under a peach tree I found one of the yellow autumn leaves and wrote a message on it: “I love you”, with the date.

I saw something in her eyes that I had never before seen handing over any bunch of flowers!

She still keeps that leaf as a bookmark in her Bible!

Sometimes the small things you do last longer than big gestures, said Dawie. This is where we need to adjust the way we live. We must start with small gestures and also with the people closest to us. The big gestures will follow.

Let’s do as the Englishman says: Let’s put our money where our mouth is. Let’s do what we’ve been hearing about so much and even talk about a lot. Let’s go out today and find those places where we can do good. Let’s make sure that our walk as child of God out in the world is irreproachable. Let’s make sure that others can follow us to God. Flat box.

Scripture
2 Tim 3:10-13

Reflection
Can people follow you?
Will they find God?
Where can you make a difference today?

Prayer
Our Father, thank you for your mercy. Thank you that I may walk through life and have the privilege of leading others to You. I realise that I sometimes take the wrong turns. Please help me take a quick U-turn and go back to walking your path. Amen.