Study to Show Yourself Approved

Heart Prep

Father God, open my heart to receive Your Word and Your plan for me today.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who
does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”

My daddy always held high academic standards for me when I was in school. “A”s were expected and “B”s were acceptable. This standard did not stop when I went to college. I must confess, I enjoyed the social aspects of college much more than preparing for assignments and tests, and my low grades reflected my approach. During my first year, my daddy challenged me with 2 Timothy 2:15. The King James Version says, “Study to show yourself approved.” After finishing that first year with a C average, I worked very hard over the next three years to fight my way to graduating with honors. I was proud of myself, and I knew my daddy was proud of me. Unfortunately, my young mind had twisted that verse into believing that I needed to work and study hard in order to gain approval from my Heavenly Father, as well as from my earthly dad.

I now understand that the reason Paul encouraged Timothy to study and work diligently was not to win God’s approval. Rather, Paul knew Timothy needed to develop healthy habits of spending time with God and trying to do his best in every way, because he was God’s child, and because God had plans for Timothy in His Kingdom.

If you think your best is not good enough, think again. God loves you every time you breathe, dance, sing, study, take a test, or complete a task whatever it may be. Does He want you to try to do your best? Sure He does, because He has made you to be the best YOU that you can be, and He wants to open doors of opportunity for you and help you shine for His glory in His Kingdom. So, work diligently, knowing that God loves you and has great things planned for you.

Life Application

Is there an area in my life in which I'm working to win someone's approval?

Is there an area in my life where I want to commit to doing my best for God's glory in my life?

What steps will I take to be diligent in this area(s)?