"A WORKER WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED" (II Timothy 2:15)
How greatly profound is the service in its perfect spiritual principles in relation to God and His work with us, weak human beings! How profound is the work of God in the preparation of the spiritual servant who deserves this work of God in him! Who can walk behind the Lord Jesus and endure what He has endured and carry the cross behind Him unless the Lord gives him this strength with His Holy Spirit, so that his senses, feelings, and all his inner power are set toward Him?
The one who is lifted from the world is drawn by God. As we run, we ask the Groom to also draw with us, the many others who are running to Him with joy. This is why the human soul calls upon Him saying, "Draw us behind you and we will run … we rejoice and are exalted with You." He said, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will I draw all peoples to Myself." (John 12:32). As one is lifted with the Lord, one is elevated from the earthly matters by the cross without difficulty. He who is still holding on to the earth and walks on it, will not be drawn behind Him who was lifted, and run after Him.
"Where I am, you cannot come." (John 7:34); this was what the Lord said to the Jews who loved the glory of the people and of the earth, but He said to Peter, "Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward." (John 13:36). He followed Him finally, when he was enlightened and put on the power from above and was recognized in heaven.
He, who is changed and is lifted with Him, can easily run behind Him because the power of the Resurrection annihilates the material obstacles, and until death, he will not stop before the power of giving in the service, as the Apostle Peter did when he raised Tabitha who had done many good works. Thus Saul was drawn when he changed; when the Lord called him, he ran after the Shepherd without hesitation and many ran with him. Then, the Apostle Paul said to St. Timothy, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15).
He was not ashamed before himself, for he did what was right. He examined himself constantly and evaluated himself. He had no pretences but knew his weakness. He relied on God at all times, submitted to his will, and his whole life was in God's hands.
He was not ashamed before the people because he behaved rightly. He spoke, however he was not the one who spoke, but the Spirit of his Father who examines everything even to the depth of God, and gives those who work wisdom that cannot be overcome.
He was not ashamed before the Holy Angels and God, because he witnessed to Christ with his life, with all his works and all his sayings. He advised to make the effort to evaluate oneself, and for he who can leave the easy life, the bodily comfort, and the earthly pleasures, even those that are allowed, to get out to work and struggle, knowing he is protected by what the Lord said, "For without Me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5).
We cannot say, "Come, my beloved, let us go forth to the field …" (Song of Solomon 7:11-12), unless we reach the level to say, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me." (Song of Solomon 7:10).
Who can say, "Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot." (Psalm 16:5)? Unless we are not influenced by anything in this world, by our concern for wealth, ambition, or fears, the Lord will not be our portion. However, "I am my beloved's" is said by the human being if the Lord is in his thoughts or if in his relationship He is not just the provider of his wishes. How can the Lord go with the servant to the field if He is not yet his "portion"? The human being ends by belonging to the Lord and the Lord will be the Leader; he knows the love and longing of the Lord for him and he submits to Christ the Shepherd. This is the field of service, as He said, "Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest." (John 4:35), as well as His vine, the Church.
The true servant is always in the Church, the house of his mother, "I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother …" (Song of Solomon 1:1-2), at the feet of the Savior, asking to learn from the head, even if he is called "Teacher" or "Father" by many.
Copyright © 2007 Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. The above article may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. |
