Friday 16th February
Read 2 Timothy 4:9-13
“Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” (NIVUK)
Paul longs for Jesus’ appearing (v8), but equally he longs for three other things. He longs for friendship, warmth and books! These are entirely natural human needs not outweighed or abashed in the presence of that spiritual longing for Christ.
There is no shame in wanting friendship. It is not good for humanity to be alone after all. Nor is there especial virtue in freezing unnecessarily. Neither is the reading and studying of books something to look down on. We are saved but our human needs remain.
Grace comes in many forms, friends, books and blankets are only some of them. Who can you help today?
