keeping the faith? Keep working & learning?!

"I am reminded of your faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded now lives in you also."  (2 Timothy 1:5)

​"Keep the faith!"  That expression has been around for a long time - probably since Paul said something to Timothy about it.  What do you think of when you hear it?  The 60's and 70's maybe?  When you were going through a particularly hard time?  What about "keep working"  or "Keep learning?"  How often have you heard these phrases?  How often were you wondering how anyone expectded you to do any of these - maybe especially "keep the faith"?

Think about what is happening as Paul is writing to Timothy about this.  Paul is in prison for preaching the Gospel.  Timothy is being persecuted by the secular authorities, like Paul is in prison for, and Timothy has dissention and disagreements within the body of believers.  Paul is enocouraging Timothy to remember the faith he has grown up with and felt himself.  The Disciples are asking the Lord to "increase our faith." (Luke 17:10)  Jesus' answer is to point out how working continues - "doing all the things which are commanded." (17:10)  Both Jesus, and Paul, are reminding us to keep working - doing what is "commanded" and to "keep the faith."

As Caregivers we are doing what is "commanded" and we try to "keep the faith."  We need to remember, like Paul is encouraging, and Jesus is reminding, Emmaunel - God IS in us.  "Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)  So...can we "keep learning, growing and strengthening our faith"?  Something to think about........