Timothy

I've been thinking about Paul and Timothy.  Paul considered Timothy his "true son in the faith" (I Tim 1:2).  Whether Paul had any children of his own is unclear.  But Paul had many spiritual sons and daughters and Timothy was one of the most beloved.

Timothy had a spiritual legacy from the women in his family (2 Tim. 1:5), but it's clear that Paul had a strong role in either leading Timothy to faith or to helping him become firmly rooted in Christ. 

We all need Paul's' in our life. We all need the encouragement and knowledge and challenge they can bring us.  The Christian life was never designed to be lived in isolation.  We all need Timothy's' as well, those we can be teaching, sharing and living the gospel with.

These relationships take lots of time, which is probably why we have so few of them. My guess is that Paul took the time with Timothy.

I've been thinking that what one does in life is not so important as what one leaves behind.  I recently attended a funeral of a man, who up until his death, was constantly discipling, teaching, caring for and evangelizing many men.  He was just a simple layman, but his life had impacted family members, business owners, church members, even pastors, for the sake of the gospel. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people.  Some flew in from long distances just to say thank you.   He had left behind many 'true sons in the faith'. 

I wonder what I'll leave behind?  What will you?