Trekking with Timothy

5th Century Baptism  Font

But you, man of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith.
(from 1 Timothy 6:6-19)

 

Gwendolyn Brooks wrote:

"Live not for battles won.
Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
Live in the along.1"

Trekking: A long-distance adventure to explore remote or rough areas, usually including overnight camping.

50 Miler hikes with Boy Scouts are like this definition. During the hike, scouts have opportunities to learn, develop skills, and interact with others in the group.

The scout who cooled his feet at a lake during a rest learned about blisters. Eager for relief, a younger scout ran to the water’s edge and soaked his feet.

The combination of damp boots and tender feet became a lesson as he soon nursed a painful blister, learning a small but memorable lesson

Trekking daily gave me a sacred time to reflect deeply, to listen for God’s voice in the quiet forest, or in the conversation around a campfire.

My Elder’s Pilgrimage, trekking alongside Timothy’s ancient wisdom, became a sacred time for this kind of growth.

Godliness

Verse 6 says “there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment.”

Godliness, for Jesus' first-century followers, implied living as disciples guided by their awe of God.  

Living as disciples transforms behavior through a sacred spark of God's presence.

God’s presence removes sources of disobedience and separation from God, such as feelings of doubt, distraction, or unhealthy habits."

God’s presence is like a sight-giving balm of wisdom, propelling us to become more like Jesus through active faith.

We are sustained, I believe, in this life-long journey, this “living in the along” through God’s freely given gifts of grace, mercy can peace.

Works of Piety. Wesley divided them into individual practices such as studying the scriptures, prayer, fasting and community practices such as sharing in the Communion and Baptism and Bible study.

Work of Mercy. Such as visiting the sick, prisoners, and feeding the hungry. They wee also divided into communal practices such as seeking justice, ending oppression and caring for the poor.