All of us have been wounded by people. At some point in our lives, each of us has had someone take our trust and or love and reject it, trample on it or abuse it in some way. The human tendency is to stay there and lick our wounds and choose to not love or trust that deeply again. God doesn't let us do that!
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." 2 Timothy 2:2
Now you may be saying "what does this have to do with that?" Timothy had invested his life, love, heart as any good pastor does, into his people. He had spent many hours in prayer, counsel, instruction of his people. As long as everything was going well, everyone was there but the minute things got tough many turned on him and left him. Have you had that happen in your life? It hurts often people don't realize how much love you have poured out. Especially as a pastor people don't realize how much love and heart you pour into people. It goes much deeper than this, you may have been hurt even deeper than this at some point. Paul's challenge is no matter the hurt, you can't stay there.
Timothy was deeply wounded, feeling the pain of rejection and Paul says "commit" these to faithful men. The word commit really means to draw close to someone in order to make a deposit into their life. Paul was saying, I know you have been hurt but you can't dwell there, trust that God will still be faithful. Look at the gifts that you still have around you. Yes, I understand you have been hurt but that doesn't stop God's plan for you unless you stop. So don't stop. Press into to those close to you and invest in their lives. God will fulfill His plan through them and you. He is bigger than your pain, rejection and the short-sightedness of those around you.
Give your heartache, rejection and hurt to Him. It may have happened yesterday or 30 years ago but people around you need you to invest in them. God has your destiny waiting!
