I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 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 the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

I had my 53rd birthday yesterday, and as I was praying, God’s Spirit put on my mind some of the significant life markers this birthday represented. Fifty years ago, at age 3, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. And over the past 50 years of trusting him and seeing him take me through great success and some serious challenges, he has been so very faithful.

I also remembered that 40 years ago, my mom died of cancer when I was 13. It was the toughest challenge I have ever faced, losing my mom and the changes it caused to my family. But God was faithful in the middle of it; he was always there, right by my side.

As I look forward with hope to a heavenly reunion with my mom, who was completely sold out for Jesus, I do so with a joy not matched in this world. And I also look back and think about the spiritual foundation of faith she provided for me to build upon.

She was fiercely determined to serve the Lord, even in her sickness and dying process. She took care of the hurting, the poor, and the foreigners (refugees). She served them as much as she could to the very end. Even in a wheelchair, she went to teach English as a second language using the Bible. The heritage of faith was profound! It was compelling!

This is what Paul is talking about as he thinks back to his own parents and their trust in God. He also encourages Timothy, his apprentice in the ministry (he calls him his son) to remember the faith foundation his grandma Lois and mother Eunice set for him. And he calls on him to fan into flame the gift of God, which is the Holy Spirit inside him.

I believe that is what my mom would want for me as well: draw closer to God, be pure in my faith, don’t compromise; but obey and trust him. So as I live and serve and follow Jesus, I also get to build on the faith my mom passed onto me with “power, love and self-discipline.”

I can boldly proclaim the good news about Jesus (the gospel) without fear. I can embrace suffering like Jesus did. And I can do it all knowing that I serve a Lord who has destroyed death and brought eternal life and light to my life.

It is a battle cry. One my mom might use to encourage me. Were she here today, she might say something like this: “Good job, my son. Keep building on what I invested in you. Push harder and you will find an intimacy with God you never dreamed of. Serve with more resolve, disciple with more intent, and love with more passion. And God will meet you and carry you in the middle of it all.”

This is what God calls us to. And if we think about it, our spiritual family and mentors call us to surge to the finish line too.

How can I re-energize my faith today?

Lord, thank you for reminding me of the spiritual heritage of faith handed down for me by my Mom. I love you and seek to know you more and serve you more faithfully at home, at work, and at church. Keep me humble and hungry!