2 Timothy 1:7 AMP
[7] For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].
There are times when the weight or size of the assignment in front of us seems to be crushing. If I ever get to the point where I am confident in my skills, eloquence, gifting and placement, and not in the One who aligns these things, there is trouble ahead. It has to be noted that all of God's assignments are opportunities for Him to work in and through those who belong to Him. He knows that we are human and weak by ourselves, and at no time does He demand that we do anything by strength, guile or human wisdom. The earthly and mortal, left alone, can never achieve God's purpose. It needs the divine enablement that only God can give.
This was the summary of the life of the boy Timothy. At the time the letter above was been written, the boy was still struggling to find his way. The stars were not aligned in his favour at the time: his father was Greek, which made him non- acceptable to the Jews at the time. His mother and grandmother were women of faith, and the bible was very careful to note that these women impacted the life of the boy Timothy. Paul was the mentor who circumcised the boy in line with Jewish culture so he could be accepted by the Jews. Paul was also the man who gave the boy a platform to minister and be a blessing to the church of God at the time.
It could have been convenient for Paul to lay out the counsel in the verse above, and let the boy muddle through on his own. Paul's life choices eased the process for the young man. Are there lives that God can commit into my hands, sure and certain that these lives will not end up in shame? The verse above also lays out God's perspective when it comes to service: do not rely on your own strength or wisdom. God is the One who supplies what is required to achieve His assignment. It is His field, His creation, His supply; His presence and His plan that define my application. If I do not know what needs to get done, how can I even know where to start and what to do?
He does not promote fear or timidity. The work is enormous, but His Spirit is capable. He gives His Spirit, which is of power, love and sound judgment and personal discipline. This tells me that the work of the Spirit of God is first internal, before it is manifested externally. Power and love have to first be internalised before they can flow unhindered. Discipline is the product of a life of total and absolute surrender. The Spirit of God cannot thrive in a place of disunity. He may choose to manifest Himself through any vessel, but He cannot flow unhindered where there is fear or timidity. I give my life totally to God, and ask Him to do what only He can do. God's time of favour is here.
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