Time For God: May 29

Focus: 2 Timothy 4:13
Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
 
Reflect:
Students in the preaching class were nervous. The time had arrived for them to be sent hither and yon to churches awaiting their message. Meticulous preparations were in progress. Students carefully packed all they needed. They meant to speak in their best preaching presentation and with real substance. They prayed for success.

My location involved two ferry rides and some long stretches of driving. My first ferry arrived late; it seemed to take forever to land at the other end. A fair drive would take me to the next terminal to connect with the second ferry. Slow moving logging trucks, however, pulled just in front of me. No safe passing places appeared on that windy, narrow road. The trundling trucks guaranteed that I must miss my ferry connection. The next available ferry would be a five-hour wait away.

I arrived late that Saturday night. Church members had volunteered to care for the visiting preacher. They warmly welcomed me into their home, offering me a cozy place to sleep. Sunday morning’s sunrise burst upon me astonishingly quickly. I aimed to dress to impress—if only to take the focus away from my nervousness.

After breakfast I returned to my room. On went my black suit, white shirt, muted tie and …where could my black shoes be? All I could find were the beaten up white runners from my jeans outfit of the previous day …and the pair of fluffy sheepskin moccasin slippers that I wore in the house. White runners and black suit? Never!

The service ended. Handshakes and kind comments came my way. One older deacon smiled at my slippers. What is it with Regent College? You’re the third Regent student to forget their shoes! Shoes do not a sermon make; fluffy slippers don’t cut it, either.

In a dank prison cell, Paul requests a cloak to warm his body, together with books and parchment to warm his soul. Clearly, arrest-and-confinement precludes time to pack. The sole audience he seeks to please—shoes or not—is our ever-present God.
 
Consider:
How does God continue to meet your practical daily needs? When does He come to your aid when all else has fails? How can you rest in His total security, today?
 
Pray:
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! Amen [Psalm of David: Psalm 3:3-7].