Acts 16:1-5: a reflection

1He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed, but his father was a Greek. 2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him. 3Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

As Paul travels, he comes to Lystra and meets a young disciple named Timothy, well spoken of by the believers there. Paul sees promise in him, and takes him along on the mission, to train him and share the work. This young man, mentored by Paul, would become one of his most trusted coworkers and the recipient of two of his letters. Paul did not work alone; he invested in a younger believer, pouring into him for the sake of the work that would outlast them both.

Notice Paul's investment in the next generation. He could have simply pressed on with his own work, but he took the time to bring along a promising young believer, to train and mentor him, sharing the labor and preparing Timothy for a lifetime of service. Paul understood that the work of God is carried forward not by one generation alone, but as those who are older pour into those who are younger, raising up the next generation to continue what they began.

That is a pattern worth following. It is easy to focus only on our own work and to neglect the raising up of those who will come after; but the work of God continues beyond us only if we invest in others, especially the young. Whether as a mentor, a teacher, a parent, or simply an older believer who takes an interest, look for the Timothys around you, and pour into them. Do not work only alone; invest in the next generation, sharing what you have learned, encouraging the promising, preparing others to carry the work forward. The kingdom is passed on as each generation invests in the next; be a Paul to some Timothy, and help raise up those who will continue after you.

Lord, when Paul met young Timothy, he saw promise in him and took him along to train and mentor him, investing in a younger believer for the sake of the work that would outlast them both. Help me follow that pattern. It is easy to focus only on my own work and neglect the raising up of those who will come after; but your work continues beyond me only if I invest in others, especially the young. Help me look for the Timothys around me, and pour into them, whether as a mentor, teacher, parent, or simply an older believer who takes an interest. Keep me from working only alone; help me invest in the next generation, sharing what I have learned, encouraging the promising, preparing others to carry the work forward. Your kingdom is passed on as each generation invests in the next; help me be a Paul to some Timothy, and raise up those who will continue after me.