Bible
Study: 2 Timothy 1, 1 to 8 and Mark 4, 21 to 25.
Timidity
is not a virtue. Paul advises Timothy today that God did not and will never
give anyone a spirit of timidity, rather a Spirit of Power and Love and
Self-Control. Hence there is no room for being ashamed of testifying for the
Lord. Even though this faith entails suffering, we should not be afraid of
identifying with it. The key to conquering timidity is a constant reminder that
we are lights. And a light cannot be put under a bed. If we really allow our
lights to shine, we cannot be put down, ignored or hidden. The world may laugh
at us or try to make us look stupid for not blending but in time our goodness
will bring us out. “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest; nor is
anything secret that will not come to the light.” Those who once laughed at you
will come to ask: ‘how did you do it?’
Timidity
and goodness do not go together. If we are truly what we say we are, then
acting as though we are ashamed of our identity is a betrayal of our goodness.
For instance, some Christians are so shy when they dress properly but they feel
extremely comfortable and proud when wearing indecent clothes. Some of us are
too scared of preaching in a public place yet we do not mind talking about
American politics just to show we are very current. I have seen Catholics so
ashamed of bringing out their rosaries in a bus or even along the street all
because they don’t want to look strange.
Dear
friends, if we don’t believe in ourselves, how do we convince the world that we
are lights? Why are we constantly trying to blend in to the world and its
standards? We should only be timid when it comes to evil not when it comes to
letting our light shine. A minimal Christian is as good as a non-Christian. Sand
is sand and sugar is sugar. If sugar now begins to behave like sand, of what
good is it?
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, take away any timidity from me. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you.
Fr. Abu.
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