1 Thessalonians 3:1-5a
5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.
Paul’s humanity is very humbling to see. The giant Apostle even seems to worry! And he felt such concern of spirit that he was beside himself with anguish! Momentarily remembering the parable about seed scattered on stony ground, he seemed concerned that the seeds he had sown, and the tilling and prayer-watering of their heart’s soil that he had provided, might not have taken root as it should have, and the devil had robbed them and him of victory.
Sorry Paul, but frankly, it’s encouraging to see you like this! It gives the rest of us mere mortal Christians hope that we can doubt, and be afraid, and worry - without being crushed by guilt and tempted into phony religious behavior! Personally, I hate feeling guilty about feeling guilty!😊 You (Paul) knew, and we know that our job is to sow the seed, water it with prayer and care, and let God give it life and make it grow … it’s not us or our ability, or our talent, or our hard work that produces eternal results – it’s all about Him!
PRAYER ACTION
Lord, I bring two or three people who I’m worried about to you today. The good I and others have tried to do for them, the words I have spoken, the investment of time, energy, money and prayer investment that has been made in them, doesn’t seem to have taken root the way I had hoped or know it can. I lift them to you … that you might carry them, help them and change them … show yourself to them. Show them how much You love them and have invested in them.
“I’ve been a faithful, obligated churchgoer most of my life. But after listening to you talk and watching you work, you’re the first pastor I’ve ever known who, if when I scratched deep enough, I believe I would actually find a real person underneath.”
(A ‘searching’ university student said to a pastor I know.)
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