Before Winter

As I was coming to the end of my reading from 2 Timothy this morning, I came to a rather simple request that would seem to be of little theological significance: "Do your best to get here before winter" (4:21).  However, when you consider the back drop, it carries great meaning.

Paul was in prison as he penned this letter (cf. "my chains" 1:16) and he desperately needed two things before winter: "his cloak and his scrolls" (4:13).  And, if Timothy did not get there before winter, the shipping lanes would close and no passage possible until spring.  Surviving the long, cold winter in prison without his cloak for bodily warmth and his scrolls for spiritual energy would be difficult indeed.  There was no guarantee Paul would be alive by spring.

The point being made is Paul was asking Timothy to come before it was too late: Come before winter.  This is similar to Jesus' imperative in John 9:4, "Night is coming when no man can work."  There is a deadline for everything, a time expiration under which we must operate, which, when missed, it is simply too late.

Preparing you children for life must be accomplished while they are young and still mailable.  Preparing for an adequate retirement must begin long before retirement does.  You have to buy life insurance before you need it just as you must pack your parachute before the plane starts falling from the sky.  You must fix the roof before the storm comes.  You must fortify your faith before the worst of life hits you.  You must come to Jesus before he comes for you.  You must do your best to come before winter. Jus' Say'n.