Paul, imprisoned and facing martyrdom, looks back over his life to give us that which is most important. He writes, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:” (2nd Timothy 4)

Paul is employing a courtroom vocabulary. He’s making it clear: in light of God’s ultimate judgment and the revealing of His eternal kingdom, we’re given a charge. It’s serious. It’s life-defining. But here’s the good news—we don’t have to figure it all out alone. God’s word provides the blueprint.

Paul’s charge to Timothy, and to us, is straightforward. Just like a vineyard owner who plants a vineyard according to his design, sends his son to check in on the laborers, and returns in the end to pay what is do, so we are tasked with tending to our lives. Here’s what he tells him to do:

2 Timothy 4:2-5:
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

Our instructions:

• Tell people about Jesus.
• Warn against what’s wrong.
• Encourage what’s right.
• Be patient, be clear, be wise.
• Persevere through life’s challenges.

Paul is a mentor to Timothy, which sets up a model for effective discipleship. This isn’t just for pastors or ministry leaders. It’s for all of us—at work, at home, in our neighborhoods. Everyone needs a mentor, and everyone can be a mentor. Paul mentored Timothy; who’s your Timothy? And who’s your Paul?

Reflections from a Mirror

Mentorship isn’t always about grand wisdom. Sometimes it’s about holding up a mirror. I’ve had mentors reflect back things I needed to hear, like when a fellow pastor once told me I was “a little too blunt.” Tough feedback, but I needed it as a young pastor.

I’ve also had moments of being the mirror. I remember a young pastor feeling discouraged because his church wasn’t growing fast enough. When I asked, he shared that his church had doubled from 70 to 150 people in a year. I told him, “You have one of the fastest-growing churches in America.” Sometimes, we just need someone to show us the blessings we’re too close to see.

Three Prophecies for 2025

Now, drawing from Paul’s mentoring of Timothy, let’s practice the same activity of looking at what is most important and how we should prepare ourselves for the road ahead. Paul warned Timothy about a time when people would reject sound doctrine. That time feels closer than ever. Here’s what I see coming in the year ahead:

1. A New Ideological Divide
   There’s a growing split in American conservatism between secular conservatives and religious conservatives. They may talk about shared values, but their motivations differ. While one group may focus on familiarity or financial stability, the other roots their values in following Jesus. In 2025, many won’t put up with Jesus’ values—whether they identify as liberal or conservative.
2. The AI Revolution
   Artificial intelligence is accelerating—jobs, education, and even how we process information are going to transform. Education will shift away from memorization toward critical thinking. We will train children to be filters of information rather than receptacles of information. The skill set for the rising generation will be the ability to sort out the useful from the rubbish.
3. Truth vs. Lies
   As filters on information tighten, discerning truth will become a critical life skill. Conspiracy theories abound (seriously, Russians hacking hot tubs?). But the solution isn’t censorship; it’s teaching logic and critical thinking. We must raise a generation equipped to separate fact from fiction.

Finishing the Race

Fortunately, Paul sets out to show us how to do this. Invite Jesus into your decision making and let the Holy Spirit be a filter for discerning what is true. Paul is absolutely unintimidated by the future that he sees. Rather, he’s victorious.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Picture Paul, in prison, near death, arms raised in a V, shouting, “Woo! I won!” That’s the joy of a life well-lived for Jesus.

Success in 2025

Here’s how to win the race this year:

• Find a mentor who knows and loves Jesus.
• Be a mentor who guides others in faith.
• Stay the course: Tell people about Jesus, stand for truth, encourage others, and persevere for His name.

Run the race with patience, wisdom, and joy. And when you cross the finish line, you’ll get to make the declaration of faith that all saints have made when their race is run: “Woo! I won! I won! I won!”