Do The Work

"  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Tim. 4:5

        The first time I heard "do the work" I was regrettably watching The Bachelor. Pictures surfaced of a female contestant in college going to a plantation in a period dress with her sorority where they pretended they were in the Gone With The Wind era. The black bachelor was then faced with what to do with his favorite girl who was now a racist. In the end they broke up and she apologized for her ignorance and she was told to "Do the Work." What that seemed to mean was to read black history, the stuff we aren't taught in school, go to museums like civil rights museums, watch documentaries... Whatever... it wasn't spelled out the what, the time, the end, it was just "Do the work".

       Paul is telling Timothy in this passage to "Do the work." It wasn't to educate himself on racism in the 1st century, although that is a good thing, but rather to do the work to evangelize. We are all familiar with the great commission and realize being an evangelist was not just the job of Timothy but all believers so it behooves us to figure out what he means here. We usually think of evangelism as talking, debating, apologetics, reasoning, preaching, speaking or whatever else it takes to lead someone to make a decision to follow Christ. But what is the work?

       You've heard it said that "People will care what you know when they know that you care." That takes work. I must confess that as I look ahead to a long flight then drive to our clinic in the Phillipines for a Medical mission, at the age of 68, going to a hot climate in July looking in kid's mouths and ears as an OB/GYN doesn't thrill me. Yet probably over 100 will pray to receive Christ. It strikes me that I am doing the work of an evangelist. Over the past number of years we have done free car washes, wrapped Christmas presents at the mall, had free oil changes and gone through a neighborhood changing light bulbs, built handicap ramps all for the opportunity to share Christ. Having a neighbor over for supper that you have nothing in common with is work,  wouldn't you agree.

         Then getting up an hour early to pray for the lost or fasting takes some work.

     Why not call someone today and offer to watch their kids so they can go out for dinner in hopes of someday sharing the gospel. Let's do the work!