July 1, 2009 - Everyone Needs A Close Friend

Meditation on 2 Timothy 4

Twice in this passage, Paul urged Timothy to make every effort to come to him. (v. 9, 21) We could sense the desperate need of the apostle Paul. He recognized that he was approaching the end of his life as a result of his trial in Rome. Though he claimed that he had fought a good fight, he had finished the course, and he had kept the faith, he lamented the fact that all his friends (except Luke) had deserted him. Other faithful workers had to take care of their ministries some place else. Demas had left him because he loved the present world more than the ministry. Moreover, the weather was changing. Winter was coming soon. He must have felt cold and needed warmth. He seemed to be lacking books for reading. On the top of all these, he was facing tremendous opposition to the gospel from his enemies.

So he wished Timothy to come quickly. The aging Paul wanted Timothy to bring him a cloak and some reading materials. He requested Timothy to bring Mark too. Yes, Paul knew that the Lord was with him and had delivered him many times from persecution and even from lion's mouth. But he needed Timothy now.

In difficult time, everyone relies on a companion who is trustworthy and who knows his needs well. Have you felt that you are lonely at times? Open yourself for a good friend. If you do have someone already, then look around you to see if there is someone who needs an understanding pal and get to know him. To struggle alone in Christian life is not good.