Paul and Timothy: Sharing Brokenness
Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.
Have you thought you needed to have your act more together before you could mentor others? You may have felt you might need a mentor more than you could be one. Paul set an example by mentoring and sharing from his own struggles. He chose to share how God’s grace was at work in his life despite his missteps.
Paul understood how messed up he was without Christ. Paul named his sins, which included blasphemy, persecution, violence, ignorance, and unbelief. How many of us would be willing to own up to the ways we have offended God?
Paul was able to mentor Timothy not because he was so good but because of the work God had done in his life. Paul shared about his sinfulness to help Timothy see the grace that God had sent his way. Paul did not want Timothy to see him as a hero but instead pointed Timothy to Jesus.
Mentors don’t pretend that they have it all together. The blessing they share is how Christ is revealed through their own failures. Mentors share their story of God’s faithfulness. We all have opportunities to share how God’s grace has been poured out abundantly in our lives. Will we be transparent enough to share how God is restoring our brokenness?
Lord, help me to be honest about my sinfulness, and guide me to tell others about your grace. May my only boast be in Jesus Christ, whose grace is sufficient to overcome all our sins. In his precious name, Amen.
About the author — Steven and Deb Koster
Steven and Deb Koster have a passion for marriages, families, and spiritual growth in the home. Both are ordained ministers in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Steven formerly served as editor of Today and director of ReFrame's English-language outreach. Deb leads Family Fire, ReFrame’s family ministry at FamilyFire.com and on Facebook. The Kosters have three children.
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