His Name Is Rohan

1 Timothy 1:18-19a – I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier about you so that by following them you may fight the good fight, having faith and a good conscience. (NRSV)

1 Timothy 4:12 – Let no one despise your youth, but set an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (NRSV)

Let me tell you a tale about a modern-day Timothy who taught me the meaning of mission one hot Friday. His name is Rohan, and he is a member of the Leonora Presbyterian Church. He is studying electrical engineering and I had met him briefly at a conference just a day or two earlier. Walking that Friday from the Stalling, the boat landing from Georgetown, I was suddenly confronted with the smiling face and overwhelming personality of this 25-year-old star athlete from the Guyana National Volleyball team. He greeted me warmly and wanted to know how I was making out getting around the country. That question makes sense if you realize that I must take a taxi or drop car, a speedboat, and a mini-bus, just to get into the city.

I told him that I was exploring, and that I was on my way down the coast to Parika. With a huge smile, he said he was going to be my guide for the rest of the day. And from the first moment of that journey, I was amazed at this gentle Christian young man who knew everybody. He was approached by half the people in the market, who just wanted to talk with him. His love, faith, and purity were like a warm, welcoming blanket surrounding each and every person he touched that afternoon.

May we take our cue from Rohan, who witnessed to the love of his Lord and the genuineness of his faith, just with his presence.

Prayer: Thanks be to you, our loving God, for faithful servants, old and young, who share their love for Jesus Christ. Give all of us the courage to name Jesus as our faithful saviour and friend as we walk through each and every day. Amen.