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 2 Timothy 2 - Grit - Luctor et Emergo

        It is honestly fairly easy to drift from the goal.  My purpose is to grow in Christ and to work hard for the growth of His Kingdom.   In my second year in the WHL, I got sent down to the SJHL early in the season.  I was devastated, but it was the best thing that could have happened to me.  I thought I’d be in Wilcox, SK for a few weeks, months at best.  Instead, I was there the entire season - and my entire grade 12 year.

        Thank God, really, for I learned a lot at Pere’s miniature yet mighty hockey school.  God’s people were there.  Loving, hard-working people.  I didn’t know it, but the Hound of Heaven was definitely hounding me.  Our motto as ND Hounds is “Luctor et Emergo,” struggle and emerge.  It’s a good motto for Christians.  We need to be gritty.  Hardworking men and women.  Like love, grit should characterize anyone who claims Jesus as their Savior.

        I guess I’m easily distracted.  Paul wasn’t.  He knew that the Good News could not be chained.  God is patient, creative, and persistent.  I’m rereading a book by Carol S. Dweck right now called “Growth Mindset.”  If you haven’t yet read it I suggest you do.  I know that it has had a major impactont Microsoft and other organizations that apply the growth mindset to their culture.  Like a lot of secular realizations, I believe a growth mindset is a Christian ethic.  We hear that resolve, that learning, growing, and hard work ethic, taught here in 2 Timothy 2.

        God loves people so much that He gave His only Son so that those who trust in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life (You know the Scripture).  Eternal life with God.  Salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus.  That’s God’s will for all people.  God wants none to perish, not even one (2 Peter 3:9).  Every person who comes to his senses, like the prodigal son, every person who learns the truth, can escape this evil world and its promise of death.  Every person can escape the devil’s trap if their hearts are changed and they accept what God freely offers them.  Growth mindset.

        But what about our grit, our resolve?  Are we willing to endure, struggle, get back up again, and fight hard?  Are we willing to do anything at all to rescue people from the devil’s trap?  Are we willing to do what Jesus tells us to do through this passage?  That is, to command people to stop fighting and to gently instruct those who oppose the truth.

        I think Dweck is right; we have to have the right mindset.  A growth mindset.  God’s Kingdom is advancing.  Jesus is building His church.  And nothing can stop God’s purpose (Matthew 16:18).

        If we need a sober wake-up call we can simply read Jeremiah 9 or the early chapters of Revelation - you quickly get a glimpse of how frank God is with His people.  We hear a terrible judgment on people who were liars, frauds, disloyal, and who refused to stand up for the truth.  Complacent people, fixed mindset people.

        The things of this world (wisdom, power, and riches) are worthless compared to knowing God.  We serve a loving God.  Jesus is our Provider.  God alone saves people from destruction.  Over and over again God shows us His unfailing love.

        Jesus Christ brought justice and righteousness to the earth.  God delights in justice and righteousness.  God delights when his people dig in and work hard when we overcome evil with good.  So, let’s do what God says.  He says, “Work hard…Be a good worker, one who does not have to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2:15).

        Lord Jesus, we love you.  We thank you for your eternal plan of salvation through Christ alone.  We thank you for what you delight in, purity, justice, and righteousness.  We thank you for Paul’s conviction - a prisoner willing to struggle and suffer anything for the freedom of men and women.  He was a true freedom fighter and soldier for Christ Jesus.  We are sorry for our sin and wrong mindset.  A fixed mindset of limits.  Please help us Lord Jesus to be used by You to bring salvation and eternal life to people today.  Amen.


Exploring Paris with my oldest son, Samuel.


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