Take Hold?

S - 1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV): "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

O - What exactly is Timothy being encouraged to do when he is told to "take hold of the eternal life"? In current context it sounds like something edging toward "getting saved." Certainly this cannot be what is intended and so the question not only remains but deepens. In our day eternal life has been distilled and packaged to mean some type of arrangement with God which one has secured against the inevitable day of their death. It is a completely future reality which has historic roots in the past (Jesus' earthly death) and an anniversary date/moment from which assurance is to be taken and its receipt celebrated. It includes forgiveness from sins and excludes any real practical expression until death us do die. If this is eternal life then the instruction to Timothy is pointless OR he's been doing some serious and unidentified backsliding. While the instruction seems to reference a "start date" what was started was clearly more than our 21st century construct of eternal life. Since eternal life is a person (Jesus) and not an asset one secures against future unavoidable liabilities the instruction given takes on a remarkably relational context and purpose. Eternal life, real, vibrant, death defying, irrepressible and refreshing starts now, not merely in concept but in personal exchange and transformation. The call to eternal life is the call to Jesus and he is all about daily, ongoing relationship unto ongoing points of expression and change. In this context, "take hold" takes on its intended meaning.

A - I have an anniversary date with Jan and with Jesus. Both indicate the start of something important and lasting. Both have historic roots and annual points of celebration. Neither are static. They require consistent exchange or they lose their intended purpose and surrender their vibrant nature. Neither are merely the sum of accepted principles, though both are built on timeless realities. Ultimately, the state of my marriage and my eternal trajectory are directly connected to the current state of my heart toward and relationship with the parties included. The assurance in today is less about anniversary dates and way more about personal devotion. The celebration of these relationships is not reserved to exceptional moments but is to infuse my daily life with opportunities for expression, growth, change and effort. Today while it is called today … my assignment is to take hold.

P - Lord who is forever life,

Thank you for calling me to take hold of that for which you have also taken hold of me. Thank you for life on earth not just a hope for life in heaven. Thank you for wanting us, calling us, helping and serving us in the irrepressible reality which is you. Lord, let your life flow into me and out of me today. Lord, I turn to you and reach out to take hold of your hands already taking hold of me. You are marvelous. You are awesome. Lord, I love you back.

Steve