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This is a busy time of year, to be sure.
So much to do, buy, cook, prepare, and in the upcoming weeks, to wrap.
Where to start, what to do?
But as I was reading 2 Timothy, Paul's farewell letter to his protégé by the same name, I was struck by what was on his priority list.
Paul was writing from his prison cell in Rome, encouraging Timothy to remain faithful to the gospel and recounting God's sovereignty and faithfulness.
But the conclusion of 2 Timothy becomes intensely personal; Paul pens a series of requests to this dear friend and recounts many hardships and challenges...
"Do your best [Timothy] to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." --2 Timothy 4:9-18
In Paul's instructions to Timothy, we see that Paul is lonely, having been rejected by some, gravely hurt by others, and he requests that Timothy comes to visit him soon.
Paul is cold and frankly requests his cloak (and encourages Timothy to visit before winter arrives, a few verses later).
Paul asks for his books. Yep, I hear you Paul! Who can live without reading?
And then Paul says, "above all else, BRING THE PARCHMENTS" (emphasis mine).
My study Bible notes state that "the parchments" most likely refer to a copy of the Old Testament in Greek.
How precious to Paul is God's written word; how intense is his need for it!
As we embark on this very busy holiday season, may Paul's raw and heartfelt request ring true in our own hearts, too:
ABOVE ALL ELSE, THE PARCHMENTS!!
Before we start into a busy day, a busy week, a busy shopping-and-gift-wrapping season, before the baking, the cooking, the parties, the festivities...above ALL ELSE, the parchments!!
May you and I soak in God's goodness, His truth, and the beauty found in His word above all else this holiday season, dear one! And may we forever be transformed by the reading of His word.
(**Hey friend, do you struggle to find time to read God's word on a daily basis? Check out this post for some ideas. Frustrated with your current Bible and lack the joy to crack it open? Check out this post that explores lots of types of Bibles to read and savor. Need ideas to study God's word during the Advent season? Check out this one here. I'm rooting for you friend!)
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