Unashamed

 ⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted to us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Paul was in prison at the time of his writing this letter to Timothy. He knew his life would soon be over yet his faith in Christ remained strong. He was unashamed to be where he was and reflected on his calling to ministry that God had purposed from eternity. He was a recipient of the grace of God that resulted in his salvation and calling to ministry. His encouragement to Timothy to join in the sufferings he was experiencing may seem to many to be strange and something that should be avoided yet Paul counted it a privilege to suffer for his faith. He valued his faith and salvation and found it to be worth suffering persecution and imprisonment. He remained faithful to his calling and did not desert the Lord during these times of opposition and oppression. Through great tests come great testimonies and Paul's life is a prime example of one who overcame each test through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him and left a legacy of faithfulness in following God's call.