Paul is seemingly close to his death in the last chapter of 2 Timothy. If you were to know the time of your death how would you react? Would haste to do everything you were never able to do before grip your heart? Or perhaps a panic and fear of leaving people and things behind that you love would overwhelm you. Should the manner of your death be violent, this too may cause great anxiety. However, we can learn of Paul's view on his own personal death and what was important to him.

He knew it was imminent by statements such as "I am already being poured out as a drink offering," and "the time of my departure has come." With Paul knowing how soon he should die, what was on his mind and what response did he have? First of all, we read of those things that filled his mind with urgency as verse 9 says, "Make every effort...!" But with what should there be every effort made? Looking at 2 Timothy 1:2 and 2:2, there is a longing to have a final relationship with a loved one for the purpose of being refreshed by their healthy and sound faith. Is being refreshed in faith on the top of our list of things to do before we die? Do we gather at every possibility with the faithful and fellowship for edification? Would you really miss out or skip out on those opportunities? After all, we don't know the day of our death, but only that it draws closer with every day, so would you live continually in the refreshment business of your soul? Secondly, concerning the faith, Paul also wanted to remind His beloved to preach and teach the gospel to following generations. Are we this enamored by the good news and how it is carried out for the sake of God to fill up what is lacking in Christ? Notice no fear or anxiety filled Paul's letter, but only concern for God's work on the lives of people. Emphasized is this fact through the words "my departure has come." This, in its original language has the idea of a ship being let loose from its moorings on the dock and slowly slipping out to sea from the harbor; or as a camper folding up his tent and gear early in the morning and quietly slipping away as the sun rises on the life and activity on the forest. These describe a peaceful setting just the way Paul describes his death. Only a life (yours) of confidence in Jesus Christ to keep His promises toward a life (yours) who has been able to say "I have fought the fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."

Dustin Bolts