“In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.” 1 Timothy 5:25
For most of us, when we hear the phrase, “It will all come out eventually,” negative and fearful thoughts rush through our heads. We usually think of something we’ve done wrong, that we can’t even remember exactly, but are pretty sure we did. But 1 Timothy 5:25 sheds a different light on that phrase. Here, The Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy to keep on doing good things even if others don’t know about it or recognize it, knowing those good things will eventually come to light.
I’m reminded of this as I think about two different people, who never knew each other, but who both had a big impact in my life and passed away in the same week. My friend, Bruce, was known to me first as “Thigpen” as we only referred to each other in Marine Corps Boot Camp by our last names. Later as we were stationed together, worked on the same shift, and were roommates, it was easy to get to know him as Bruce; a friend to many. His humble, well-mannered nature just made you want to get to know him. I was struck by all the social media posts where people referred to him as “my best friend,” or “one of my closest friends.”
The other, Greg Kennedy, a pastor and mentor to me and many others, had a profound impact in my life. At a time when I was ready to walk away from any hope of ministry in my life due to my own failure, Pastor Greg wouldn’t let me quit. He sowed words of encouragement into me and backed them up with invitations to teach and speak. God used his encouragement and “good deeds” to make a big impact in my life, to which I will be forever grateful.
Today, let me encourage you to keep on doing good! It may not be noted now, but you can rest assured that one day it will all come to light for the Glory of God!