Wednesday, June 18, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 2 Timothy 1

Have you ever decided to just wait until the time was right to start serving? I know I have. Maybe you’re waiting for a difficult season to pass. Or - you’ll just know when the time feels right.

That, friends, can be a long wait! And the problem with feelings is that they don’t seem to stick around.

Last weekend’s message was about Joseph’s trials and tribulations (Genesis 37-50). We saw him enjoy the favoritism of his father and suffer the scorn of his brothers. In this Old Testament story, WE can see God working behind the scenes, but apparently, so could Joseph. It was inspirational to see how he navigated betrayal, abandonment, and imprisonment.

Today, we might say Joseph chose to be a “Viking - not a victim.”

That doesn’t mean Joseph was violent or aggressive. It means he was resilient, courageous, and determined. Joseph didn’t choose to let his circumstances define him - he trusted God in the unknown and showed the strength of a Viking.

This choice can be made by us too, when we trust that while we’re waiting, God is working.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As Joseph dealt with these very unpalatable experiences, we watch him lean into his faith by continuing to serve his oppressors! When we have a true sense of our purpose, we can use our thinking brain to look beyond our circumstances and find our “inner Viking.” Using our spiritual gifts transforms our bad feelings toward others and prevents our hearts from becoming hard. We might even catch and correct ourselves when we identify as a victim.

Genesis: 40:4
…the captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, who looked after them.

The act of serving kept Joseph tenderhearted and thus opened doors. He lived out his purpose, eventually becoming the second in command in all of Egypt!

1 Peter 4:10
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

What better way to see God’s glory than when we let God work on us and through us in the most trying times. Driven by our God-given purpose, we will find our own inner Viking.

Yes - Vikings can have tender hearts!

Questions:
How do you view serving differently during a good season versus a challenging season?

Do you think your level of service could rise during difficult times?

Next Steps:
Attend GrowthTrack to start understanding your spiritual gifts and your God-given purpose.

Prayer:
Lord and heavenly Father, thank you for creating us each with our own unique spiritual gifts. I ask that you give me clear vision and purpose that will not be clouded by difficult people and seasons. You created each of us with a true Viking spirit that desires to serve. Help me find it when I, and those around me, need it most. All glory to you, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

This post was written by Nick Thomas, a Findlay attendee, a first-time contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.