Drawing from Paul’s opening words in 2 Timothy, we see a man at the end of his life, passing the baton of faith to Timothy, his beloved spiritual son. Paul’s gratitude is not rooted in Timothy’s achievements, but in their relationship and shared journey. He thanks God for the privilege of serving, for the legacy of faith handed down by his ancestors, and for the opportunity to pour into Timothy, who will in turn pour into others. Paul’s perspective orients us away from self-importance and toward humble gratitude. We are not the main characters in God’s story, but we are invited to play a meaningful part. Our faithfulness is not about striving to be significant, but about recognizing the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and the generations who will follow. We are called to serve with a clear conscience, not out of obligation or anxiety, but out of joy and thankfulness for the grace that allows us to participate. The cost of mission is real, but so is the reward: seeing the ripple effects of our faithfulness in the lives of others. Ultimately, our stories are woven into the grand narrative authored by Jesus, the King who delights in every small act of faith. Our task is to be grateful, relational, and faithful, trusting that God is the one who brings the story to its glorious completion.