What would be your parting words to those you love the most at your point of death?
Values are best understood at times of departure. What did I stand for, and how do you know I was being authentic and not manipulative or driven by self interests?
What do we learn today about our motives as we abide in silence in our secret place?
2 Timothy is a battlefield or a challenge to truthfulness and courage from Paul's surrogate to Timothy, a cadet.
Colin Harris frames the discussion like this:
The general theme of this portion of the letter emphasizes courage in the face of the challenges of a world of many appeals for loyalty.
The voices of the culture of the first century biblical world were many, and they appealed to all dimensions of human experience. There was the voice of the powerful Roman Empire, which called for and enforced a kind of “law and order” society, which made possible the co-existence of many different religious practices and philosophies of life. There was the moral voice of Judaism, which provided an important part of the foundation of the gospel, which emphasized justice and a covenant relation to God. There were the many voices of an increasingly secular culture, which offered everything from prosperity to pleasure.
The choice of which voice to listen to is the challenge the writer holds up to young Timothy. “Remember who you are” – and he reminds him of his heritage through his mother and grandmother. “Rekindle the gift of God that is in you” -- and he reminds him of his “calling” and the responsibility to be a faithful steward of the “God-presence” within him to be an agent of God’s redemptive work. “ Don’t back away from the suffering that will come your way as a result of holding to your calling” – and he reminds him of the model of Christ (and of the writer) as examples of that kind of faithfulness.
Values + courage = legacy.
Values - courage = legacy. JG.
Courage
"You understand the dangers, you feel the fear, and you find the courage to do the right thing.
Strength and wisdom combine as you ward off temptation and act according to your values.
Definitions
1. Overcoming Fear
2. Grace under pressure (attributed to Ernest Hemingway)
3. Choosing self respect
4. Wise endurance (attributed to Laches)
5. Uncomplaining acceptance of unendurable conditions (attributed to Eisenhower)
6. Doing right despite the fright
7. Value-based action despite temptation.
(Doing what must be done when it isn't fun - Jack C. Getz)
A courageous person understands danger, and chooses to overcome their fear and proceed to face the danger and act according to their values. It is not fearlessness, recklessness, or rashness. It is a well considered, wise, and brave decision to behave constructively despite the fear, discomfort, or temptation. Courage is a strength drawn from a wise balance between the weaknesses of cowardice and recklessness. It is the discipline to act on wisely-chosen values rather than an impulse.
Because courage allows us to act on our values rather than our impulses, its virtue has long been recognized."
Emotionalcompetency.com
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