2 Timothy 4

• 2 Timothy 4:9-16, 21 (NIV) 9  Do your best to come to me quickly, 10  for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11  Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12  I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13  When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments. 14  Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15  You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. 16  At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them...21  Do your best to get here before winter.

Paul has spent the entire letter encouraging Timothy, who seemed to be discouraged.  Ministry can do that to people - you work hard to help people to become what God would desire for them and along the way they leave, they complain, they criticize, abandon the faith and then tell you it is your fault it happened.  Every now and then they need some encouragement and Paul was giving Timothy a shot in the arm of encouragement in this letter.  But here is what I find pretty amazing, Paul encouraged Timothy even though he was in need of encouragement too.  You can hear it in this last chapter.  He is not ready to give up but he realizes that he needs someone he can lean on for a while so he asks Timothy to come and help.

Come quickly Timothy I am saddened by all those who have deserted me.  I feel alone.  I need my coat because winter is coming and do you best to get here before winter.  And can you bring my scrolls?  

As we walk this life of serving God in ministry we must realize that we need one another.  There is no such thing as lone ranger Christians.  we need each other to work together and to be there to rely on each other.  Don't isolate, don't stay away from fellowship and ministering together because we need each other.  I need encouragement and so do you!