From the UCC Network: 06/16/2011 "Consider Yourself Entrusted and Appointed"

Consider Yourself Entrusted and Appointed

Excerpt from 2 Timothy 1: 12b-14

“Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.”

Reflection by Felix Carrion

I will always be thankful to my parents and my home church for entrusting me with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In my upbringing there was nothing more important than being a disciple of Jesus and a member of the church. Theirs was the responsibility to share with me all that they had learned about Jesus and salvation in him. It was clearly understood, affirmed and taught that a life in Jesus was a better, richer, greater, more fulfilling life than any other life that could be lived. Both my parents and my church were vigilant over me, wanting for me to “guard this good treasure entrusted to me.”

The apostle Paul felt this way with Timothy and his churches. Paul’s conversion to Jesus was so genuine that for him nothing held greater value than this. The gospel had saved him from his ignorance and arrogance and hate, and it placed him on a new road of service to humanity in the name of Jesus. With clear conviction he declares, “For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do.” What a beautiful testimony.

Through the centuries there have been many other heralds who have felt this passionate about the gospel. These are the faithful ones who have come upon “the good treasure,” enduring much suffering for the sake of passing the treasure on.

I believe that the United Church of Christ is one of these heralds, serving as a forerunner of a gospel that doesn’t stop at the traditional places of welcome, but is still opening the way to reveal the untold riches of the good news for everyone, especially for those who have not found a home in the church of Jesus Christ.   The United Church of Christ has been entrusted with this gospel; this gospel, it will guard.  For it, it will suffer; and to it, it will remain faithful. UCC, consider yourself entrusted and appointed.

Prayer

O God, remind us of this treasure we have in the UCC  and continue to appoint us as heralds of it, no matter the trial and cost. Amen.

About the Author Felix Carrion is Coordinator of The Stillspeaking Ministry, United Church of Christ.