Welcome to our very first “Deep Dive”. When I started blogging again, it was very clear to me that God was leading me in a very intentional way. He wanted it to be so much more than a blog.
He kept emphasizing the word Community. It would settle there in my spirit and I would ask Him how, when, who.
It would seem He’s been thinking of you.
And wouldn’t let me alone until He and I were in step for this site. To make a place where we could do life together.
And one of the ways I hope we can do that is by doing these tiny deep dives into His living Word as an online community.
And I knew I was planning on starting this practice this very week. But He knew it would be the week that history would ask us to isolate ourselves. Call it preservation, call it self-distancing, call it necessary. But I know some of us would also call it lonely. Or just… weird. Unsettled.
And normally these deep dives won’t start with an intro quite like this but here’s the good news. He knew we’d need each other right now. And He knew that this would be the perfect time to get real about the Word and absord all the promises He has for us.
Together.
Let’s Deep Dive.
No Hesitation – The 2 Timothy 1:7 Big Picture
I know I’m as guilty as the next guy when it comes to quoting a scripture in very general terms over my life situations, or worse, someone elses, and missing the actual point or intention of it.
And the word “fear” has never been so overused right now. And not just pertaining to any coronavirus, but we’ll use the verse I’m about to quote below for everything from needing to be brave about your next performance review at work to trying on a bathingsuit in the changeroom for the first time since having twins.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
It was the phrase “spirit of fear” that stopped me in my tracks and gave me holy pause one day.
Did I ever really understand what that meant?
Had anyone ever told me?
Or had I just assumed and took it for granted that the main gist of this verse was about being afraid. That God hasn’t built us to be fearful.
The verse is actually pertaining to something so much more intentional.
It’s about no hesitation when it comes to stepping into the calling or season God has for you.
It’s less about fear, and more about standing in trust.
Not A Breath of Timidity
When I don’t understand a phrase or word in my Bible, I look up the original translation in the Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) and start from there.
And when I looked up the Greek word used for our very generalized term “spirit of fear” what I got from several valid sources was that often our word for spirit was their word for “breath”. And the Greek word used where we translated it as fear, was the less common word “timidity”.
Paul, the writer, in a very descriptive way, was reminding his understudy and student Timothy, that God isn’t in the habit of equipping us with even a “breath of timidity” or in our terms “not even a hint of hesitation” but with something better for us as we seek Him for direction.
Especially when we decide to go where He leads.
And a day or two from now I’ll explain how we know the writer of this letter was talking about God’s specific calling on your life and not just any random fear. And to see this verse fully come to life the way it was intended makes me so excited. It’s where His spirit connects with ours in ways we aren’t used to!
But for now, it’s exciting to understand that this is a very intentional verse actually referring to a very intentional God and where He specifically wants to see you flourish.
If God Calls You, He’ll Equip You
Timothy, it turns out, was about to head into a season where he was being called to fill some very BIG shoes. He was about to be handed a serious mantel of ministry, and the thought of it made his knees feel like jelly.
But Paul, his mentor and friend, was reminding him that if God calls you, He’ll equip you.
No hesitation needed, no timidity necessary.
In fact, if God doesn’t hesitate in calling me, no matter how big it seems, I shouldn’t hesitate to step into it!
This realization made me sit up in my chair and breathe out a “Whoa!”
Isn’t it cool when God’s words to us come to life in new ways?
So now, knowing a little bit better the meaning of this verse, let me ask…
Where have we been struggling today with His calling?
When have we been hesitating where we should be boldly stepping into His plan for us?
Where have we been too timid while He’s been equipping us the whole time?
Because God has not given us even a breath of timidity or hesitation, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
This alone changes how I see and use this verse over my life!
I’d love to see your thoughts in the comments below on how this has changed for you too.
Three cheers if you look forward to more on this verse! I know I do!
And don’t worry if time is of the essence. I’m going to break this verse down over the next four days. I’ve heard from so many that our lives are so full and crammed with the daily that we often don’t have time to really deep dive.
Allow me to do it for you? Just meet me back here tomorrow for 5 minutes and we’ll uncover a little more. And the day after that, and the day after that.
And… you get the idea.
Tomorrow we’re going to talk about explosives. Well, dynamite.
Hey don’t look at me, it’s right there in the second half of the verse.
Don’t believe me? Make sure you come back tomorrow…. and let’s deep dive some more! Without hesitation!
If you’re only just join us for the mini series on 2 Timothy 1:7, here’s the rest of the posts in order! Click on each link and thanks for being a part of this terrific community!
No Ordinary Equipping.
Not Your Way But His.
No Longer Uncertain, You’re Called.
#LetsDoLifeTogether
They say all good things must come to an end but my question is:
Who is “they”? And what do they know?
So if you’d like to help build this community and keep the good convos and shares going, be sure to subscribe. You’ll never miss a post and once a month you’ll get our community newsletter, maybe you’ll even be featured in it! Cause that’s what we’re all about. So let’s do life together!
Thankyou, Christine, for the “DEEP DIVE” here. I think of treasure hunters seeking and going after every clue they come across, to find their precious treasure. There is nothing more precious than the treasure of HIS WORD. I love the truth you share here, that brings us into context. When we know the TRUTH it sets us free. Reading this verse now, “not given you a Spirit of timidity,” gives so much more understanding. That leads to power and hope. There is so much going on in my spirit just now!!! Can’t wait for another deep dive……Let’s go!!!
My hope is that others will communicate the same way! And build community over His Word and cheer each other on!
Thanks for this, very encouraging at such a pivotal time . Looking forward to today’s insight .
Hi Bonnie!!! I’m so glad to see your words here today! YAY! I hope you’re keeping well! The next posts are already up and if you’d like to follow along without missing a post be sure to subscribe and I’ll make sure they’re always waiting in your inbox 🙂 Lord bless ya!