2 Timothy 4: 21 "Make every effort to come before winter..."

This was Paul's last request he would convey in a letter to Timothy, his beloved son in the ministry.  Most of the time, travel during winter would be more difficult because of the greater likelihood of in-climate weather.  Most ships did not sail the Mediterranean Sea in winter because of the probability of storms (Acts 27: 9-12).  To travel from Jerusalem to Rome would take 10 to14 days if the weather was good and the trip was made on Imperial roads and sea lanes, but normal travel by land would take 3 to 6 weeks. So travel time from Ephesus to Rome would be comparable.  Paul's urgency may not have been about the weather, but whether or not he would see Timothy again in this life.  The nearness of his execution was very close, and from Paul's understanding it might only be a matter of days or at the outside maybe a couple of weeks (2 Timothy 4: 6).  There may have been some last minute personal things he wanted to share with Timothy, and he did not care to include these in his letters for all to read.  All that Paul needed to say to equip Timothy to take his mantle and lead the growing church had already been said in his correspondence. 

We should live our life updated and connected with all those who have meant much to us.  How many have attended funerals wishing that they had one more opportunity to visit with their loved one?  Winter came too quickly!  If we have something we need to tell somebody in this life: "I love you, thank you, you have encouraged me, forgive me, I was wrong, etc.," tell them NOW.  Winter is coming and then we will not be able to say to them in this life what they have meant to us and how God has used them in our life. TELL THEM NOW.  Maybe there is a broken relationship that needs to be healed and reconcile--Winter is coming.  Call or visit them NOW.   There are those that we have served with, those who have been great partners in the Gospel, and we need to express that to them--TELL THEM NOW.   You may have family members that you have taken for granted and you have not told them that you love them; Winter is coming--TELL THEM  NOW!

In Christ,
Tommy Middleton

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