September 15, 2026

Let’s get started!

1 Timothy 6:11

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 

Dear Readers,

I am rather fascinated by the Romanian stamp featuring the three equestrians. It was created for the “Centennial Celebration of Horse Racing in Romania in 1974.” The artist, E. Palade, captures the dynamism of a trotting race on this small piece of paper. The horses’ manes are blowing in the wind. The drivers steer their sulkies. All of them are racing toward the finish line. All are racing toward victory.

The Apostle Paul urges his young colleague Timothy to pursue, to strive, and to keep his eyes directed towards the goal. “Pursue our spiritual goals,” he calls out to him. “And flee from the love of money, the root of all evil.” Even back then, for some people, their love for money was their ultimate goal in life. They pursued wealth. But that damaged their faith in God. The love of money drove them into crises. “Therefore, dear Timothy, fight the good fight of faith and do not pursue money and fame, but righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and kindness!”

Horse racing requires horses with sulkies and their drivers. What do I need to achieve the spiritual goals which the Apostle Paul urges us to pursue? Our Lord Jesus told His disciples three essential things (Gospel of Matthew 7:7–8):

„Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock at the door and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and for the one who knocks at the door, it will be opened for him. “ 

The power of faith unfolds when I ask the Lord Jesus Christ for His help. Anyone who asks Him in order not to continue wrong doing any longer in the future, but to act justly, will have their prayer answered. Whoever seeks Jesus Christ to grow in faith and love for others will have their prayers answered. Whoever knocks on Jesus Christ’s door and asks Him to become a patient, and kind person this door of faith will be opened to them.

Of course, there will be setbacks. We are human! But a start has been made with the power of the Holy Spirit.

A life without the strength, creativity, and joy that Jesus Christ provides, looks to me like a trotting race without a horse, without a sulky, without a driver. Simply impossible. My hope for you is that you will pursue true values like the Apostle Paul states in his advice. Righteousness, the fear of God, faith, charity, patience, and kindness cannot be bought with money. Pursuing these goals is worthwhile for you and for our world.

Thank you for visiting me and listening to me. May our good God bless you! I do look forward to seeing you again at the next short sermon on October 1.