May 15 - Keeping the Faith

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

“You long to see us, just as we also long to see you.”

No truer words have been written (and these are from thousands of years ago!)  Just like Paul and the Thessalonians were missing each other, so too are we missing our church family.

It’s been nine long weeks since I stepped foot in my church and I’m really missing it. I applaud the hard work everyone is doing to keep us connected. Emails and videos from church leaders are like Paul’s letters – checking in to make sure everyone is okay and providing instruction when they can’t be there face-to-face. And like the Thessalonians, we are being called to keep the faith.

Pastors are telling us – be encouraged, you are doing good and one day soon we will be together again. I imagine today’s leaders feel a lot like Paul felt - happy to hear good news about their congregation, but wishing they were there to witness acts of faith in person. Technology may allow pastors to “see” their church, but I’m sure they’d rather be gathered in the sanctuary than gathered around a screen.

Paul’s prayer for his people can also serve as our prayer, “Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (v. 11-12).

Times change, but the love of God is constant and just as He sent Paul, Timothy, and Silas to the Thessalonians, he gives us strong leaders to walk us through these difficult times. And together, we will keep the faith.