I Thessalonians 5:12-28


Christian Community - 'My People'

A friend of mine recently had a baby girl, and I asked her how the family's beloved chocolate lab reacted to the new addition.  She said, "oh, she figured out right away that baby Stella was 'her people.'  She loves her and protects her." 

That phrase, 'her people,' has stayed with me.  Who are 'my people?'  My birth family, to be sure.  My own kids and precious grandkids, yes, it goes without saying.  But as a Christian, I have a community - the church - that is certainly 'my people.'   And yes, that community can be wonderfully supportive and caring.  But it can also be messy.

Look at the language Paul uses to describe the church at Thessalonica:

"We encourage you, brothers and sisters, warn  those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak.  Be patient with everyone." (v. 14, emphasis added).  

Wait a minute!!  Idle and disruptive people in the church?  Disheartened?  Weak?  These are my people???  I thought that church was where I went for support/love/care/preaching/singing? 

The church is that but it is so much more.  Some days, those idle and disruptive people could be me.  Some days, they could be you.  The church is full of sinners, and we are them.  It is not a place where we 'put on a happy face and smile, smile, smile.'  It is a place that we bind each other's wounds, and build each other up, even when it's messy.

Paul encourages the Thessalonians with these words:  "May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (v. 23) God is concerned with our spiritual life AND our physical reality.  He longs for us to 'rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances (v. 18).  He knew the church would be messy - but he chose to love us and he sent his Son to die for us.  Thanks be to God!

Lord, thank you for 'my people,' the church.  Help me to love other Christians even when it's messy.  When they're idle....disheartened....weak, just as I can be.  Thank you for your unmerited grace and your constant, unchanging love.  Amen.