2 Timothy 2:1-7: a reflection

1You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. 5Also, if anyone competes in athletics, he isn’t crowned unless he has competed by the rules. 6The farmer who labors must be the first to get a share of the crops. 7Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

As Paul urges Timothy to be strong in grace and faithful in his calling, he draws on three images of dedicated labor: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. The soldier does not entangle himself in the affairs of ordinary life, that he may please the one who enlisted him; the athlete is not crowned unless he competes by the rules; the farmer must labor to get a share of the crops. Each image speaks of a focused, disciplined dedication: the single-mindedness of the soldier, the disciplined effort of the athlete, the hard labor of the farmer. The Christian life, Paul suggests, calls for that kind of focused, disciplined dedication.

Notice the common thread in the three images: focused, disciplined dedication. The soldier is single-minded, not letting the affairs of ordinary life entangle and distract him from his duty. The athlete is disciplined, competing by the rules to win the crown. The farmer works hard, laboring for the harvest. Each calls for dedication, focus, discipline, hard work; none succeeds by half-hearted or distracted effort. Paul holds these up to Timothy as pictures of the Christian life and calling: it asks for a focused, disciplined dedication, not a casual or distracted half-effort. The soldier's focus, the athlete's discipline, the farmer's labor, all picture the dedication the Christian life calls for.

That is worth taking to heart, for the Christian life calls for a focused, disciplined dedication, like the soldier, athlete, and farmer. We can approach the Christian life casually, half-heartedly, distracted, expecting to grow and bear fruit without focus, discipline, or effort; but Paul holds up the soldier's focus, the athlete's discipline, the farmer's labor. The life of following Christ asks for dedication, not a casual or distracted half-effort. Do not approach the Christian life casually or half-heartedly, expecting to grow without focus or effort; give it the focused, disciplined dedication Paul's images call for. Give the Christian life the focused, disciplined dedication of the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer, rather than a casual or distracted half-effort, as Paul urged Timothy to endure as a good soldier, compete by the rules, and labor as a farmer; for the life of following Christ calls for dedication and discipline, and it is not lived well casually or half-heartedly, but with focused effort.

Lord, as Paul urges Timothy to be strong in grace and faithful in his calling, he draws on three images of dedicated labor: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer. The soldier does not entangle himself in the affairs of ordinary life, that he may please the one who enlisted him; the athlete is not crowned unless he competes by the rules; the farmer must labor to get a share of the crops. Each image speaks of a focused, disciplined dedication. Show me the common thread in the three images: focused, disciplined dedication. The soldier is single-minded, not letting the affairs of ordinary life entangle and distract him from his duty. The athlete is disciplined, competing by the rules. The farmer works hard, laboring for the harvest. Each calls for dedication, focus, discipline, hard work; none succeeds by half-hearted or distracted effort. Paul holds these up to Timothy as pictures of the Christian life: it asks for a focused, disciplined dedication. Take that to my heart, for the Christian life calls for a focused, disciplined dedication, like the soldier, athlete, and farmer. I can approach the Christian life casually, half-heartedly, distracted, expecting to grow and bear fruit without focus, discipline, or effort; but Paul holds up the soldier's focus, the athlete's discipline, the farmer's labor. Keep me from approaching the Christian life casually or half-heartedly, expecting to grow without focus or effort; help me give it the focused, disciplined dedication Paul's images call for, Lord, as the soldier endures, the athlete competes by the rules, and the farmer labors.