Jump Start # 1392

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

  It happened again. It didn’t just happen again, but exactly two weeks in a row. Another Sunday, and another dear friend and godly soul parted from this world. His name was Jim. I’d know him and his sweet wife for years. I used to run into them in Florida at a series of lectures. I can’t remember when we first met, it seems that we have always known each other. Since I moved back to Indiana, nearly eight years ago, our friendship exploded. My, he was dear to my heart and family. The memories are so rich. He and his wife would just drop by the church building whenever they were in the area. They always made two stops, first to Zestos and then to see me. Sometimes we combined the two. I have spent a week in his home and what a rich time that was. We loved to talk about spiritual things. He’d call me and ask about a passage. He was good to the core. His handshake would crush your knuckles, but he knew just how firm to shake. He once taught school and was a principle. Walking with him in his area was a real hoot. Folks would toot their horn and wave. He was loved by everyone, even those who he helped turn around. Many times on our walks someone would wave and shout, “Hi, Jim.” He’d go on to tell me that he spanked that one in school. I learned that he spanked a lot of people in that county, but they weren’t angry or mean towards him. They saw that he was responsible for turning their lives around. He was asked to preach so many funerals of students. It amazed him. It didn’t me. He was that kind of soul that one just couldn’t forget. We’d talk about his family, my family, church, questions and hope. My, he was such a dear, dear friend to me. He was always amazed that I thought so much of him and I was amazed that he thought so much of me. My children loved him dearly.

But there was one very special area that Jim and I shared, and that was this little avenue of writing called Jump Starts. I think he was one of our first readers outside of the congregation where I preach. He read nearly everyone. He sent me so many kind, kind words and encouraged so many others to read these.  We talked very personally and intimately about how long these Jump Starts were going to continue on. No one talked to me in detail about these things like he did. Every milestone reached, number 500, number 800, number 1000, he’d call, and we’d talk. Soon I will be writing number 1400, and my friend would have called that day to talk in detail about how long this should continue. He was such an encouragement. He’d gotten sick recently. It was serious, very serious. I’d not seen him in a while and with my travels, I just couldn’t get over to where he lives. This week was to be the week. I had plans to go see him this week. And then, yesterday morning, word came that he had passed away early in the morning, Sunday morning. I have been crushed every since. In his honor, I nearly pulled the plug on these Jump Starts last night. I gave serious thought to just stopping them for good. But I know what my friend would say. I know what he would have me to do. The journey continues for us.

Our verse today, is the passage that immediately came to my mind when I thought about my friend’s passing. Paul’s words to the young preacher are hopeful and helpful. They are layered with three main thoughts.

First, be diligent. That word simply means, “get to it.” Don’t put it on the back burner. Don’t delay in these things. Don’t say, “when I get a round to it.” Jump on it now. Make this priority one. Drop all things and get about it. My daughter used to say when she was at home, “Do it,” and then she’d add emphatically, “NOW.” The way she said it, made a person get up and do it, now. This is what Paul is saying to Timothy and to us.

Second, present yourself approved. Approved. Passing the test. God can be pleased. Well done, is what the five talent man was told. He was approved by the master. Gained approval is the statement used of the heroes in Hebrews 11. They all gained approval with God. We can know what God wants. We can be approved by God. This is how we are to present ourselves, each day, every day. We must be diligent about that. It’s time to get rid of the lazy bones and the lame excuses and pointing fingers at others, especially the congregation, and ask ourselves, “Why am I not approved by God?” Why does my attendance stink? Why do I not know the word of God? Why am I not praying very much? Why don’t I engage in hospitality? Why am I not letting my light shine? Why am I watching dumb movies, listening to trashy songs and hanging out with people who don’t love the Lord? Why have I not surrounded myself with quality people who love the Lord and will influence me for good? Why am I not an encourager, like my friend was? Present yourself approved. Do what God wants you to do.

Third, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed. What a great and simple illustration the apostle gives to us. A workman works to get paid. That’s the goal of what he does. A guy who works hard and works well, has nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t matter whether he digs a ditch, fixes teeth, preaches a sermon, drives a school bus, or is a principal, as my friend was. Work hard at your job. Do it well. We understand that concept. The guy who is playing computer games all day or is texting more than he is working ought to turn in his paycheck. I drove by some workers the other day that were working on the road. I don’t know if it was break time, lunch time, or time to call it a day, but I saw three different ones sitting down looking at their phones. Now, if they were supposed to be working, then there was a problem. This working in such a way as not to be ashamed, is not connected to our jobs, but in how we are diligent to be approved to God. Do what God says, in the way that God says it, with all that you can, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Stop comparing yourself to others. Egos, jealousy and bad things happen when a person does that. Stop just giving it a ‘lick and a promise,’ as my grandma would say. Do it right the first time and you don’t have to do it over. Get over your hurt feelings and bad experiences and present yourself approved to God. Don’t use excuses. Get about doing what you ought to do.

Unashamed workman. A person that is giving it his best. This comes from the inside out. This comes from a heart that wants to please the Lord. This comes from one who sees what is really important.

The apostle tells us how all this is accomplished, by rightly dividing the word of God. By knowing, following and keeping the will of God in our hearts. By being true to the book. By standing upon the word of God. By saying “yes,” to what God says, “yes,” to, and by saying, “no,” to what God says “No,” to. It’s not being original, different, unconventional, or just plain odd. It’ s by rightly dividing God’s word. I expect if the word can be “rightly divided,” then it might be “wrongly divided” as well. Our roles is to be those who divide it rightly. I expect a person can pull a verse and make it seem like Heaven approves of any sordid behavior that folks can dream up. That’s not using the word as God intended. That’s not rightly dividing. That’s not being that unashamed workman. Someone who twists God’s word to push their agenda, ought to be ashamed. Let God speak for Himself. Don’t twist His words. Don’t put words in His mouth. Listen and follow what He says.

Be diligent. Present yourself approved to God. Like an unashamed workman. That was my friend. That was, Jim Babcock. I will miss you dearly. I am glad you made it safely. I hate death and I long for the day when there shall be no more tears, for my eyes are full of them today.

Thank you, my friend. Thank you, my Jesus for allowing our lives to cross. I benefited on that one.

Roger