Are you a sponge for God?

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 4:15  Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Application: This passage must be considered in a wide scope. Here Lord, we see Your desire expressed through Paul to a young man in ministry, yet it behooves us to consider it’s admonition for each one of us also.

Take pains is from an interesting Greek word:

μελετάω meletáō; to be of interest, to concern oneself. To consider, weigh or ponder over something so as to be able to perform well; equal to meditate.^[1]

This will require us to spend some time in deep thought about what we are doing with our lives. Is this time well spent? Is it not important Lord? We will each one, stand before You to answer for the life You have extended us and, how we invested it. Therefore this should not be done in a sloppy or haphazard way, meditation is required. 

Be absorbed in them comes from a Greek word that means to “exist”! Paul is showing Timothy that the life he is talking about is not one of “doing” but “being”! Obviously You desire balance Lord, yet we all know of athletes that have a balanced life, while at the same time being very disciplined, committed to and focused on their sport. How much more it should be for those of us that claim to be Ambassadors for the King! One commentator brings forth a clear thought on this:

The exhortation, “give thyself wholly to them,” is en toutois isthi (ἐν τουτοις ἰσθι), “be constantly in these.” The meaning is that Timothy is to throw himself wholly into his ministry. Robertson says that it is our “up to his ears in work” and “sticking to his task.” ^[2]

Paul points to his goal for Timothy – “that your progress will be evident.” The word “progress” is:

 προκοπή prokopḗ; to drive forward. A going forward, used only figuratively of progress, advancement, furtherance, also “to cut forward, to blaze the way, make a pioneer advance.” ^{[3] [4]}

What a tremendous picture You have painted for us Lord! Like Timothy, we should think deeply about how we invest our life.  We should be focused on “being”, so that our life’s testimony clearly shows us moving forward, in godliness and even blazing a path for others to follow. That is what “making disciples” is about! We praise You, for Your Word Lord – it guides us so clearly!

Meditation Questions: What absorbs you? What does that show? Is God an after thought? Is it natural for you to think on the things of God or do you have to force yourself to do so? Have you asked those close to you what growth they have seen in you toward the Lord? How hungry are you for God? A snack? A meal? Dessert? Have you slowed your life down enough to contemplate what you want your life to count for? What do you want your epitaph to say? Why?  

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (1 Ti 4:15). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.

^[3] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[4] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English reader (1 Ti 4:15). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.