Living in the Spirit
October 30, 2014

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was towards you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. — 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12

 I woke up in the wee hours of the morning today with inertia all around me. Perhaps it is autumn taking its toll. Maybe it is because it is the autumn of my life. Most likely it is fear of failure for the first thing that popped into my brain on waking was the nagging sensation that I may have signed myself up for more than I could handle. Not just more than I can handle time-wise but feeling inadequate to step into actions and activities that are beyond my comfort zone and more importantly way beyond my control. And then old Paul comes along and tells me how he and the others with him had been working night and day, doing everything they possible could to help the new converts in Thessalonica grow into disciples.

I learned the lesson about hard work years ago on the farm. Most success is tied to hard work. I have also learned over many years of implementing various human services programs that there has never been a new idea that didn’t need to be molded to reality and changing times. I also have gained at least a graduate level education from failure. How to take the good from a failure, learn from mistakes, and learn not to let a good idea go even if it failed. It may have been ahead of its time or it may have just been introduced at the wrong time or in the wrong place.

Paul’s use of the word “we” throughout is also helpful. I assume he is referring to Silvanus, Timothy, and himself, but they are only mentioned in the opening of the letter. As I read further in it seems that Paul grabs hold of me and you as part of that “we”. Fearing to move into new avenues of service is always easier when done in tandem with others on their faith journeys and, of course, “we” in our faith journey always includes God the Creator, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. That’s pretty good company.

Prayer: Father and Mother of all, join me today and every day in my journey to be your disciple and join together all of your followers so that our oneness is greater than the sum of its parts. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.