Devotional Thoughts: The kinder and gentler Paul

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 is nice slice of life moment.

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

I would bet some people have the view of Saint Paul as this hard-nosed General Patton like character. There were definitely moments when he was INTENSE to the Nth degree. But reading this passage, we see the kinder and gentler Apostle Paul. It seems downright sappy!

Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

There might not be anything more delightful than to see other people grow. Not being a parent I don't have that experience in its fullness. However, in life, I've lived long enough to see my nephew and neice grow from tiny squirming bundles to adults in the making. I've participated in church life long enough to see students grow up to become the teachers. It is a good feeling to simply see it. It is a terrific feeling to know that you had a tiny part in the process.

Paul and his companions prayed for this church ...

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

As an unexpected youth volunteer, I have to remind myself that part of my "work" with the youth besides going to events and preparing Bible lessons is to pray. I claim no knowledge about how prayer actually works but it does and God tells us to do it. So, what am I (are we) waiting for?

What did they pray for?

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Opportunity to spend time with them. In the old days travel was slow and hard. Today, travel is relatively easy, at least in the USA and other developed nations, but we simply get busy with stuff. This kind of prayer is probably even more needful today.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

More love. Right relationships. Loving those within the circle of the church also those outside we have contact with. We all have "neighbors" we are to love.

There are the physical ones next door, the vocational ones at work, the biological ones in our immediate and extended families, the volitional ones in friends, the incidental ones in acquaintances and other people we meet in day-to-day life and indeed, even "virtual" ones via the internet.

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

More holiness. Right living. Doing the right thing even if it is hard. Doing the right thing even if nobody is looking.

Lord Jesus, thank you for this window into the heart of Paul. Indeed, he was a passionate advocate of theology and detailed explainer of the significance and meaning of what Jesus did. However, he also cared about those he ministered to. God, help me to have that kind of passion for the truth and for loving others. Amen.