Not Ashamed

2 Timothy 1:12  That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

When I read today’s verse I couldn’t help but remember what Martin Luther King Jr said:  “Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter with me now, because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. So, I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

The next day Martin Luther King Jr was killed. He never did get to the promised land he worked so hard for others to achieve.

Like MLK, Paul knew what it was like to suffer for his message. Paul was beaten and imprisoned. Yet to Paul and MLK, the end result was worth all the jail time, the suffering, and the pain. They kept their eyes on the promised land and refused to be ashamed for following God and their convictions.

We need to keep our eyes on the promised land. If we let the chains of life stop us or deter us, we won’t be the only ones who don’t make it there. There are generations of people who want, who need, who are desperately waiting for us to show that we are not ashamed, and will not give up what God has called us to do!

Today’s Readings:  Joel 1-3; 2 Timothy 1

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