Thursday January 26, 2012
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works. Titus 2:7
Saints Titus and Timothy are honored today. St Paul entrusted them with large responsibility in continuing his ministry. This direction to Titus epitomizes his challenge to each of them and to me. Seemingly, impossible to contemplate that in ALL respects that anyone could be a model of good works. Even Timothy and Titus were human. I am sure when Titus opened the scroll that contained this letter and came across these words… he would have had the same sinking feeling that I do. How can I possibly be a model of good works…. ALWAYS?!
Paul had high standards. He knew human nature and realized that if the bar was set low or high, people would attempt to reach it. Today the self-help saying is, Reach for the Moon, so if you miss, you will have hit the stars. I believe Paul understood that Titus would give his all to be a model for the folks of Crete, ministering to them daily as Timothy did later in Ephesus. When I think of a model, I remember the cars and planes my brothers built when I was a girl. They were perfect replicas of the real thing. A smaller rendition that served to remind my brothers of the actual vehicle. Seeing that tiny perfection… and in many cases creating it from a box or kit, planted seeds for future desires to fly, to drive or to experience the real thing.
Today, modeling good works, is really not much different that it was for Titus and Timothy. Feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, being attentive to the lonely, ministering to the sick, praying for those who are suffering… putting on Christ is the challenge for me. Taking time out to recreate in tiny replica the HOLY goodness of Jesus. St Paul, told his followers to be models for others of the good works that would inspire others to be like Jesus. Even if I can only do a small act of mercy today… it will affect someone. It will better the body of Christ, because we are all connected. If I am 1:43 scale model of Christ that is better than not at all.
Lord help me to accept your call to be a “practicing” Christian. Someone who recognizes the behaviors that You wish to see alive and well here on earth. Help me to be a model of good work today and always.
Tags: Behavior, Good works, Model, St Paul, Timothy, Titus
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