While I’m Away

What Paul Teaches Us About Planning

Every parent understands the urgency, anxiety and struggle of preparing children for their absence. Leaving them with a sitter for the very first time. Sending them off to college. Giving them away at the altar. Prepping them to inherit a family business.

Whether they are five months old or 55 years old, it doesn’t seem to matter. We all worry about how our loved ones will function when we’re not around.

The Apostle Paul understood this struggle, too. Writing from a cold, dark prison, he knew his time on earth was limited. His second letter to Timothy (recorded in the New Testament), reads like an urgent “while I’m away” to-do list.

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...”

“…Endure hardship with us like a good soldier…”

“…flee from the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace…”

His detailed instructions went on and on.

From Paul’s example, we glean a helpful strategy for finding peace about our family’s future. The long and short of it? Write it down, then trust.

1. Write down your instructions. Paul left no room for doubt about how he wanted to be remembered and how his heirs should carry on his life’s work. Through Timothy, he provided detailed instructions to the churches throughout Asia and for generations of believers impacted by their ministry. Similarly, one of the greatest gifts we can offer is detailed instructions about what to do when we’re gone. Our documented desires remove ambiguity, ease anxiety, reduce strife and ensure our God-given resources continue to be stewarded well.

2. Trust the memories. Paul understood a single letter could not compare to the lessons he’d already taught Timothy. “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

(2 Tim. 1:13) Likewise, your most important instructions cannot be confined to a letter or legal document. The truths you’ve spoken and modeled over the years will have a lasting influence.

3. Trust the Scriptures. Paul believed God’s Word would continue to equip Timothy and the other believers, regardless of what challenges they’d face. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3: 16-17) We, too, can be sure the “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) scriptures we’ve taught our children will continue to mold their hearts and minds.

4. Trust the Spirit. Most importantly, Paul trusted that it would be the Holy Spirit, not He, who would ultimately guide, empower and protect his loved ones when he was gone. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:6-7). The ever-present Spirit of God will guide your family, too.

Preparing our loved ones to persevere in an uncertain future is unnerving, but we don’t have to be afraid.

Focus on what’s within your power to do – then surrender the rest to the Lord. In other words: write down your instructions, then trust.

Trust your lifetime of lessons will continue to teach.

Trust the living and powerful Word of God will guide their path.

Trust the Holy Spirit to direct, embolden and shape the lives of those who come behind you.

Like Paul, we can have peace knowing God always carries our loved ones close — now and while we’re away.