1 Thessalonians 2:13-20
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians
17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
Somehow, I am old enough to have a high school student. How did that happen?!
My son is part of the cross-country team at his high school, and one meaningful part of their team culture is that they host pasta dinners on the nights before a meet.
The dinners provide needed nutrition for the runners and a needed point of connection for us parents.
As it turns out, many of us are in the same boat when it comes to raising kids. We experience similar highlights, but also some of the same fantastically confusing struggles. So, we spend our time asking one another how to solve these head-scratchers. Needless to say, I am taking notes!
In this passage, Paul serves as a mentor to the community in Thessalonica. The Thessalonians have been struggling with opposition from the Jewish community and the wider culture, and Paul encourages them from the well of his own experience with similar hardship.
As you think about your journey of faith, who are the people God has placed in your story as mentors? I’ll bet many of you can remember someone from your youth, but what about now? Just as it is important for me to seek out mentors in midlife as I raise my kids, it is also important for me to seek out mentors who can help me navigate faith at this stage of life.
On the other hand, what if God is inviting you to become a spiritual mentor for someone in your circle of influence? Who might God be leading you to encourage? The truth is that we are not the only ones experiencing hardship—and joy! God has given us a community to walk with us.
– Pr. Jason
God, thank you for the people you have placed in my life to mentor me in faith. Give me the humility to keep learning from others and the courage to encourage someone in my circle who needs support. Amen.
