1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
O: "For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly, we behaved toward you believers;"
When Paul was working with the church of Thessalonica, I see that he and his fellows took it upon themselves to work for their money and provision, so as to not inconvenience the people they stayed with.
I'm sure the church would have been happy to fund Paul and take care of his basic needs, but here Paul demonstrates the determination to keep his relationships thriving with those in his ministry-I'm guessing that it would have been easy to take advantage of his apostleship to vouch for food and shelter, which could have easily been seen as an abuse of power or superiority. But reading on in this passage, not only did Paul strive to humble himself in his position, but also sought out a pure conduct of living, to set an example before the Thessalonians.
(A): It's very easy to get caught up in power in position in the church. It sounds sad, but it's very true. As a former praise leader, I could easily say I abused my privileges to using my keys to church for my own personal use (which weren't massively destructive, as I'm sure it didn't stumble anyone, but it could have if I made a habit of it) in making copies of my own music, borrowing church equipment to my leisure, and of course the free internet/electricity/air conditioning. Looking at Paul, I know I should always set an example in my behaviour and conduct-I will remember that what I do in secret should not be something I'd be ashamed of doing in public. I will be transparent in all things that I do, and I will never take my position of leadership to a point where I could abuse it and use it for my personal gain.
(O, continued:) But what was the heart behind Paul's blameless conduct? "...just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. "
And here comes out another example of discipleship. Apostle Paul's ministry had little to do with ministry, and rather it had much of itself invested in people (namely, God's people). As Paul repeats many times, "...we did not seek glory from men." but Paul sought out the spiritual welfare of those who took the message of the Gospel joyfully and he diligently pursued a means of bolstering their faith. And what better means is there in helping those you disciple grow in faith than by showing them spiritual maturity in your own life? Paul did exactly that-he left no provision for bitterness in his leadership position by taking care of his own finances and such, while also proving to be a mature spiritual leader to be followed after (because he devoutly followed Christ so closely). But, all in the end-Paul never did it to be glorified by men, but to be found faithful before God-working faithfully to see that God would be most glorified, and most lifted on high.
(A:) I could learn a thing or a million from Paul. He worked his butt off for his own food and he made sure that he was a blameless man before many of those who he ministered to. Why? Just so that they could be closer to God. Here was a man who loved the Lord and loved His people-Looking at myself, now-I'm struggling so deeply with even taking time in the Word and my conduct probably faces a million different problems. But I also know that the heart is where it all stems from. Do I really want to see God glorified or am I just here to get a few words of praise from the world? I certainly hope it's not the latter.
P: Lord, You stay as constant as ever. It's kind of funny how I had the biggest doubt that anything would even come up in reading the Word tonight, but You always seem to prove me wrong. Despite my excuses (thinking I needed proper "rest" to really focus) You brought to my attention someone that earnestly sought You out and I see Your message today. You want me to be more like Paul (well, more like Christ) in the sense that he worked straight from the heart. I know quite well that it's just an insult to come before You in a tired and morose manner, not expecting much-but yet again, Your grace is quite prevalent in my life when I least expect it. Thank You. I'm facing a dilemma in my commitment to cultivating greater disciplines of reading Your Word and praying-and because my good habits have been suffering, my spiritual life is too. I mean, it's definitely me-being lazy to unbelievable proportions (I guess this is why sin is so destructive-it creeps in without anyone noticing and then it blows everything to pieces). I'm sorry for how terribly lazy I've been-I guess because I have the time, I choose to waste it through my many excuses of being so "tired" and daily renewal of "I'll do it tomorrow." I'm really sorry for my inconsistency-really ought to learn something from Your constant faithfulness. Anyhow, I pray that I wouldn't screw up tomorrow or the day after and so forth-I'd much rather find my rest in the Word (which, I funnily enough longed for in my bed, but found in the Word, tonight-thanks for answering my prayer!). Would you teach me to live out my faith in earnest? It's so hard-but I'm asking for Your supernatural strength and guidance to plod my stubborn legs along. But, I'll try to keep my weak end of things (actually opening up the Bible and setting times to pray) and then I know You'll be faithful, as always. Praises to You, Lord :]
In Christ, amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
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