Easy?
Julie and I are doing a "professional development" workshop on Monday. Having been to many of these before, we know what things are most important. Snacks. No role plays. No "discuss with your table and report to the group." Door prizes. At least one good idea.
Like most projects, this one has taken lots more time and energy than we planned for. Why should that ever be a surprise? How often is something easier than expected?
Life is just that way in general. It is hard. Troubles come.
We pray and it seems that God either doesn't hear or he doesn't care.
And yet.
When we take a step back from our troubles, we know that is how life works. Sorrow comes upon us time and time again. And in that sorrow, Satan often finds an open door. When he walks in, we can trust that the hard just got harder.
Paul wasn't surprised that he was persecuted. He expected it. His concern was that the Christians in Thessalonica would let persecution affect their faith. He was afraid they would leave the door open for Satan. And so, he checked up on them.
Don't we all need someone to do that for us from time to time? Because after all, life is hard. Trouble comes. And Satan stands at our door.
"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 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." 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
Like most projects, this one has taken lots more time and energy than we planned for. Why should that ever be a surprise? How often is something easier than expected?
Life is just that way in general. It is hard. Troubles come.
We pray and it seems that God either doesn't hear or he doesn't care.
And yet.
When we take a step back from our troubles, we know that is how life works. Sorrow comes upon us time and time again. And in that sorrow, Satan often finds an open door. When he walks in, we can trust that the hard just got harder.
Paul wasn't surprised that he was persecuted. He expected it. His concern was that the Christians in Thessalonica would let persecution affect their faith. He was afraid they would leave the door open for Satan. And so, he checked up on them.
Don't we all need someone to do that for us from time to time? Because after all, life is hard. Trouble comes. And Satan stands at our door.
"We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 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." 1 Thessalonians 3:2-5
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