Pursue Righteousness - 2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Timothy is challenged to “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.” Our current culture tells us that you only live once, so get in as many experiences as possible before you are too old to do them. And old beer commercial encouraged us to “Go for the Gusto.” Nike’s tagline for over twenty years has been, “Just do it!” But is that really satisfying? It seems to me that mentality becomes addictive. There is always a bigger thrill to pursue, another mountain to climb, another experience to pursue. It is never enough. Maybe that is why adrenaline adventures are so popular. For me, maybe I’m just old but I think I’ll wait on wingsuits until I get to Heaven. For the believer, there is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying God’s creation. I love to ride my motorcycle. That’s not a bad thing, but there is something bigger, higher, more valuable that we are called to pursue as believers. That is righteousness, faith, love, and peace. All the experiences of life come to an end at some point, but righteousness, faith, love, and peace follow us into the next life. So, let me ask you as I regularly ask myself, what are you pursuing? Which is more important to you, righteousness, faith, love, and peace, or another high adrenaline experience? Which is more important, righteousness, faith, love, and peace, or the latest TikTok or YouTube? Which is more important, righteousness, faith, love, and peace, or following your passions? At some point youthful passions and experiences fail to provide us with the rush we so crave. But a life that has pursued righteousness, faith, love, and peace finds deep satisfaction in a life well lived. What are you pursuing?

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