Scripture: Titus 2:4 - That they may teach (or train) the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.
When I think of the above Scripture, I still see the picture of a race in my mind. I may have mentioned these two verses in yesterday's post about running a race, but I think they apply to today's scripture on the older women teaching the younger women. The first verse is: 1 Corinthians 9;24-27 says " Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." The second verse is Hebrews 12:1 - 12 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Do you remember running races in school where you have to pass the baton? They are called RELAY races. People have to come together as a team to run relay races. "Relay racing is the art of running with a baton and passing it from one teammate to the other, and making three exchanges with the fourth runner crossing the finish line with the baton.The most difficult concepts to instill in relay athletes are running away from someone while trying to receive something from that person, and passing within the "zone."
I think the picture of a relay race describes well what we do in our Christian faith. We have to come together as a team. The difficult part is running away from someone while trying to receive something. We all have to keep running with our eyes on the prize of Jesus Christ while yet we still are trying to receive what the generation before us is handing. Likewise, we are to do the same, pass on the baton to the next runner.
Observation of Titus 2:4
1. The older women are to train the younger women
2. Sober used here is similar to word Temperate meaning to have desires and passions well regulated or under control. It is interesting that have being trained to be sober, the older women are to teach younger women to LOVE. Usually men directed to love wives and women to respect but here women instructed and trained to love husbands and children.
Application of Titus 2:4
It is easy for me to try to pass the baton to next player but I find it harder to be the one receiving the baton while still running forward. I have always enjoyed "older" people. I still do. I find it hard at times to find people sharing their faith and passing on God's wisdom to the next generation. We have young people and middle aged people hungering for wisdom but yet there seems to be a "fear" of doing what God says. I have asked older women for advice and I do find it here and there but for the most part, people seem hesitant in sharing as "each person is different". Although God has made us unique, His Word is true in every place and every situation. God's Word does not change. We need to be Women who pass the baton to the next generation and teach them the things God says we need to do. In the race verses mentioned in the beginning of the verse, I see temperance, self control, training, discipline and endurance of great importance. Again, we don't just wake up one morning and run a long race. It takes months and months and maybe more of training.
Prayer
Lord, many times I want to run a sprint and have it over, but the longer I run this race of faith I see that it is a long distance run. It requires endurance. Lord thank you that you that Your Spirit is pouring long suffering/patience/endurance into me. You have instructed us to train. Thank you for training even when it is hard.
