Living On Purpose In Christ | Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Essential Oils, Daily Prayer, Journal Prompts

118 | Called to Lead, But Told to Be Silent? Discovering Your Voice in God’s Plan (A Study of 1 Timothy)

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Essential Oil Practitioner • Season 2

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When life is packed with meetings, errands, and ministry, how do you keep your soul steady and your purpose clear? We open 1 Timothy and find a roadmap for busy believers: pray first, guard the gospel, grow in character, and lead from a quiet strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. Timothy’s story meets us where we live—messy calendars, real doubts, and a longing to be useful without burning out.

We start with Ephesus, a church swamped by hot takes and harmful ideas, and Paul’s call to “fight the good fight” with courage and clarity. You’ll hear why prayer is the first move, not the last resort, and how the often-misread call to “be silent” is actually an invitation to hēsychia (ἡσυχία)—a settled, Spirit-led calm for both men and women who lead. We unpack what mature leadership looks like in real life: self-control, hospitality, gentleness, and a trustworthy reputation that shines in Zoom rooms, living rooms, and sanctuary aisles alike.

Then we explore chapter four’s heartbeat: set an example, fan your gift into flame, and reject hyper-spiritual myths that dismiss God’s good creation. Paul reframes church as family—honor across generations, care for widows, fair accountability for leaders—and offers wise counsel on work, wealth, and the discipline of godliness, eusebeia (εὐσέβεια). The result is a simple, sturdy pattern of discipleship that turns ordinary days into meaningful mission. If you feel too ordinary or too busy, you’ll walk away convinced that your small acts of obedience matter more than you know.

Ready to grow with a gentle, doable plan? Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs fresh courage, and leave a quick review so others can find these conversations. Your voice will help more believers live on purpose in Christ.

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Paula Behrens:

If you've ever found yourself wondering how on earth you're supposed to live out your faith boldly when you're juggling Zoom meetings, church leadership, grocery runs, helping grandkids with homework, hosting Bible study, or trying to remember where your glasses are, then pull up a cozy chair, friend, because today's episode is for you. We're about to walk through the book of 1 Timothy together, a tiny, but mighty, power-packed letter from the Apostle Paul to a young pastor who was trying to shepherd a complicated congregation in an even more complicated cultural moment. And if you stay with me all the way to the end, I've got a special invitation for you to come hang out with us in our Facebook community where you can grab some free monthly devotional and essential oil-inspired spiritual rhythm resources. Trust me, you're going to love what we're doing over there. But for now, let's step into the world of Timothy, a young leader trying to figure out how to live on purpose in Christ while guiding others to do the same. Because if Timothy needed this encouragement, direction, and fire under his feet, maybe we do too. And you know, friend, while Paul's encouragement to Timothy reminds us that we're all a work in progress, I've got a funny little story from my own early days as a pastor that might just help us laugh at the chaos and remember to give ourselves a little room to breathe.

Paula Behrens:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos, there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens:

You want to grow closer to God, but let's be honest, your days are full, your mind is busy, and your devotional routine feels more like a struggle than a sanctuary. That's exactly why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. This one-on-one session is designed to make deepening your relationship with God simple, peaceful, and personal. No pressure, no overwhelm, just a guided, spirit-led approach to help you reset and reconnect with Jesus in a way that truly fits your life. You won't leave empty-handed either. Before our coaching call, you'll receive an essential oil sampler to use during our online session to enhance this fun spiritual journey. You'll walk away with everything you need to continue your journey, including a printable devotional planning guide to help you stay consistent, a beautiful gospel reading plan that walks you through the life of Jesus, a downloadable prayer journal to reflect, process, and pray intentionally, and practical guidance on how to use essential oils to quiet your mind and invite peace into your spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

You don't need fancy tools or hours of free time. You just need a doable plan and someone to help you make it real. So let's make your devotional life easy, meaningful, and refreshingly Christ-centered. It's time to simplify your spiritual life so you can savor it again. Book your Aroma of Christ coaching hour today at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com/coaching (no spaces). Look for a link in the show notes. All right, friend. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, cozy up to your favorite beverage, and let's get started.

Paula Behrens:

Before we jump chapter by chapter, let's get the feeling of this letter. Paul is writing from a place of deep affection. He calls Timothy his true child in the faith, not because they shared DNA, but because they shared destiny. Timothy didn't grow up with the advantages Paul had. He had a Greek father, a Jewish mother, and a grandmother deeply rooted in faith. He wasn't a confident, natural-born leader. He wasn't the guy who walks into a room and instantly commands the space. If anything, he was quiet, tenderhearted, maybe even timid. And yet God chose him. Paul saw something in him and said, You, you're called to shepherd God's people. Don't you dare shy away because you're young, unsure, or imperfect. If you've ever felt unqualified, unprepared, or a little too ordinary to make an impact for the kingdom, you and Timothy would have been buddies. And Paul's letter to him, it's just as much for you.

Paula Behrens:

Paul doesn't waste time with pleasantries. He jumps right into the mess. Timothy was living in Ephesus, and the Ephesian church was, well, let's say it was a spiritual pinterest board gone wrong. Everyone had an opinion, everyone had a new teaching, everyone had a special revelation, and false teachers were spreading ideas that were distracting, confusing, and harmful. And if you're thinking, wow, that sounds like the internet, then yes, you're exactly right. Paul tells Timothy to stay put and confront unhealthy teaching, not because conflict is fun, but because truth matters. He reminds Timothy that the gospel is not about speculation or intellectual gymnastics, it's about transformation. Paul shares his own story, the way God saved him, the chief of sinners, to show Timothy that no one is beyond grace. This wasn't Paul's bragging about his sin resume. This was Paul reminding him, if God can use me, God can use anyone. Don't give up.

Paula Behrens:

Then comes that wonderful charge. Fight the good fight, not the petty fight, not the internet fight, not the neighbor drama fight, the good fight, the one that's worth your energy, your attention, and your prayers. If you're someone working from home or someone who wants to blend their faith with work, maybe you're running your business from your kitchen table or writing devotionals in your pajamas with a mug of peppermint tea, then Paul is saying, stay focused, don't let other things steal your purpose. Guard what God gave you.

Paula Behrens:

Chapter 2 opens with Paul essentially saying, All right, Timothy, before you get caught up in everybody's opinions, arguments, and personal soapboxes, pray. It's almost as if Paul is gently taking Timothy by the shoulders, looking him dead in the eyes, and saying, Son, lead the people into prayer before you try leading them into anything else. Paul lists kings, leaders, neighbors, strangers, everyone. Why? Because prayer softens the soil. Prayer is a posture that keeps our hearts open to God and closed to foolishness. Prayer keeps a church from getting entangled in secondary distractions. And then he begins stepping into the chaos that had been stirred up in the Ephesian church. And trust me, chaos is not an exaggeration. Ephesus was a city soaked in spiritual confusion. The Artemis cult empowered a kind of radicalized female dominance. False teachers used philosophical trends to manipulate vulnerable believers. Some newly converted women, excited, passionate, and completely untrained, were jumping into teaching roles without grounding in Scripture. They were being swept up by false ideas and unknowingly spreading them. It wasn't just messy, it was dangerous.

Paula Behrens:

So when Paul starts correcting behavior in the church, it's crucial to read his words through the lens of their situation. He wasn't restricting women, he was correcting cultural chaos. His goal wasn't to silence women, but to stop disorder from anyone that was harming the church and hindering the gospel. And this is where our Greek word study becomes incredibly eye-opening. In 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 2, Paul tells men to lead peaceful and quiet lives. The Greek word here is hēsychios, hēsychios (ἡσύχιος). It doesn't mean mute or passive, it means settled, peaceful, calm, composed, grounded. The inner stillness that comes from the Holy Spirit. Now here's what's fascinating. In 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 12, Paul uses the same Greek word when instructing women to keep silent. Same word, same meaning, same expectation. The English translations make it look different, though. Quiet for men and silent for women. But in the Greek, it's the same.

Paula Behrens:

Paul wasn't saying women need to hush up. He was saying anyone who wants to lead should first have that peace in their heart that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. Leadership, whether male or female, must first flow out of hēsychia (ἡσυχία), the settled, spirit-led calm that comes only from yielding to God. This shifts our understanding entirely. Paul was not restricting women from leadership. He was teaching that both men and women must first yield to the leadership of the Holy Spirit before leading others. Only those anchored in spirit-led peace are ready to guide the flock faithfully. The heart of chapter two, then, isn't about who gets to talk, it's about who is spiritually ready to lead the church into God's mission.

Paula Behrens:

Paul moves into guidelines for church leaders. And if you've ever read this list and panicked, thinking, oh no, I'm disqualified, please breathe. Paul isn't listing superhuman standards. He's describing the character of someone who's growing in spiritual maturity. Paul highlights traits like self-control, hospitality, gentleness, managing one's household well, being faithful, being grounded in truth, and maintaining a good reputation. He's not saying find flawless people. He's saying find growing people. And let me offer a freeing reminder. You don't have to hold a church office to be a leader in the kingdom. Leading a Zoom Bible study, encouraging women in your small group, volunteering, writing Christian posts online, praying with a neighbor, showing up consistently, being faithful in your family, all of that is leadership. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that the gospel moves forward through everyday believers whose lives quietly glow with Christ. This means you. Yes, you can reach people for Jesus right where you are without ever standing behind a pulpit.

Paula Behrens:

Chapter 4 is the heart of the whole book. Paul tells Timothy to be aware of teachings that sound spiritual but disconnect people from God's goodness. Some were teaching that marriage and food were unholy. Paul calls that nonsense immediately, reminding everyone that creation is good when received with gratitude. Then comes one of the most iconic lines in the New Testament. "Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." Set an example, Paul says, not be impressive, not be perfect, not be loud, but live in such a way that people sense Jesus in your presence. Paul tells Timothy not to neglect the gift God gave him. Don't bury it. Don't pretend it's not there. Don't talk yourself out of it. Practice it. Grow in it. Fan it into flame.

Paula Behrens:

Someone listening right now may need to hear this. That stirring you feel, that longing to encourage others, that desire to pray with people, to write, to teach, to start a devotional group, to create Christian content, to lead a gathering, to mentor younger women, to launch that ministry idea, that's not random. That's the Holy Spirit nudging you. Chapter four is Paul's grabbing Timothy by the shoulders and saying, I believe in you. And maybe today the Spirit is whispering the same thing to you.

Paula Behrens:

Paul then draws Timothy back to the heart of shepherding relationships, real ones, not superficial ones, not 'I only know you from the comments section,' ones. He tells Timothy to treat older men like fathers, younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters. In other words, stay pure, stay respectful, stay relational. He talks about widows, urging the church to care for the vulnerable. He addresses leaders, reminding Timothy to treat them fairly, but also hold them accountable when necessary. What's beautiful here is that Paul is teaching Timothy to see people through the lens of family, not as a task to do, not as a problem to solve, not as numbers, but family.

Paula Behrens:

If you've ever reached out to someone and felt unseen, God sees that. If you've ever tried to love someone difficult, God honors that. If you've ever felt weary from pouring out more than you received, God understands that deeply. This chapter reminds us that our ministry, whether at home, online, in our community, or in our church, is never wasted. You are building up the family of faith every time you choose compassion over convenience.

Paula Behrens:

The final chapter is bold, direct, and incredibly practical. Paul talks about how believers should navigate work relationships, especially when their environments aren't spiritually supportive. He warns about the dangers of greed and the seductive pull of wealth, not because money is evil, but because it's a terrible master. Then Paul uses a word that beautifully captures the call of this entire letter. When he tells Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, the Greek word he uses for godliness is eusebeia (εὐσέβεια). And this word is so much richer than our English translation. Eusebeia (εὐσέβεια) isn't just being a good person, it means living with such a God-centered devotion that it naturally spills into everyday life. The way you speak, the way you lead, the way you work, the way you love, the way you respond when things get stressful or complicated. It's a steady, reverent, purposeful orientation toward God in ordinary moments, eusebeia (εὐσέβεια). In other words, Paul isn't telling Timothy, try harder. He's telling him, live from the inside out. Let your life be shaped by God at the core.

Paula Behrens:

Paul warns Timothy that some will wander from the faith because they're more interested in arguments than transformation, more interested in being right than being righteous, more captivated by controversy than compassion. But Timothy must be different. He must guard the gospel, protect the truth, and stay faithful to the mission. And you, you are invited into that same mission. Every message you send, every prayer you whisper, every encouraging word you offer, every devotional you share, every small act of faith that feels too ordinary to matter, well, it does matter, and it matters deeply. You are guarding what God entrusted to you every time you choose love over fear, truth over confusion, and faithfulness over comfort.

Paula Behrens:

First Timothy isn't a dusty letter for ancient pastors, it's a lifeline for modern believers. If your work keeps you sometimes feeling isolated, Timothy gets it. If you're trying to lead others spiritually but feel unqualified, Timothy gets it. If you're trying to speak truth in a confused world without being consumed by it, Timothy gets it. If you're juggling caring for people while staying faithful to your calling, Timothy gets it. Paul's message to him is Paul's message to us. Stay grounded, stay prayerful, stay humble, stay watchful, stay anchored to truth, stay faithful to your purpose, and above all, don't let fear, discouragement, or comparison convince you that your small acts of obedience don't matter because they do, more than you know.

Paula Behrens:

Friend, before you head back into your beautiful busy life, I want to personally invite you to come and hang out with us in our Facebook community, "Biblical Encouragement and Devotional Rhythms with Essential Oils." That's where we share practical faith tools, gentle encouragement, scripture-based resources, and a free devotional download every month to strengthen your walk with Christ. This month's freebie is waiting for you, and you can grab everything easily by heading to DevotionDrops.com. That's Devotion Drops D-R-O-P-S .com (no spaces). I would love to connect with you there. Come join us. Grab your free resources and grow with other faith-filled Christians who are living on purpose in Christ right alongside you.

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today and remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more listeners like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.

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