Timothy wanted to quit his job as pastor of the church in Ephesus. Paul told him to hang on, and he promised to come to help Timothy. So Timothy was "stuck" waiting for Paul to come and rescue him.

Are you "stuck"? Are you some place you don't like? Are you in a marriage, job, or situation where you want to leave? Are you "hoping against hope" (see Rm 4:18) for a miracle? Are you desperately waiting for reinforcements? Are you "sticking it out"? Are you "stuck"?

Paul gave Timothy and all "stuck" people the following commands:

1. "Be a continuing example of love, faith, and purity to believers" (1 Tm 4:12).
2. "Devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, to preaching and teaching" (1 Tm 4:13).
3. "Do not neglect the gift you received" (1 Tm 4:14).
4. "Attend to your duties; let them absorb you, so that everyone may see your progress" (1 Tm 4:15).
5. "Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Persevere at both tasks" (1 Tm 4:16).

If we obey these commands, we will be anything but "stuck." We will bring to salvation ourselves and those who hear us (1 Tm 4:16). Stick it out.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 11, 2009

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