If you know me, you know that I “feel” a lot. I also cry easily; commercials, a friend’s story, a dramatic moment in a movie, a reality TV show or … the tender movement of the Holy Spirit in my heart as I read the Word of God. This morning I was in God’s Word because my soul needed nourishment, encouragement and guidance from the Word. I found myself in 2 Thessalonians. I was looking for words of encouragement that might apply to ministry. I knew that Paul wrote to encourage the church in Thessalonica and I thought maybe the Lord could encourage me through Paul’s words.
I have been working in local church ministry for many years. It is something I love and also something that I believe God has called and gifted me to do. But sometimes, ministry can seem confusing and frustrating. Today, as I sit “Sheltered at Home” distant and separated physically from those I love and typically see daily in ministry, I found myself discouraged by the lack of contact and the feeling that I want to DO something. But here I am, stuck at home unable to give hugs, look people in the eye, share an encouraging word from God’s word etc. So, I found myself doing what I usually do when I feel lost and discouraged, I turned to God’s word.
When I came to the final words of Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica I was stopped in my reading. My heart skipped a beat, and my eyes suddenly filled with tears. Here are the words that Paul wrote to his suffering church,
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING — PAUL. I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (NLT)
Why did my eyes suddenly filled with tears? Because these verses whispered truth into my soul. Right now we too cannot be WITH our “people”. I so related to Paul who could not be with his church in Thessalonica and here we sit, “Sheltered at Home” separated from our “church” and those we minister to. What I heard in Paul’s words was his desire that his church know that HE was the one writing to them. That it was really HIM and not someone else. At a time when letters were the only form of communication, Paul looked for a personal, intimate way to share with the church he longed to be with.
Paul’s desire was to be with this church who was suffering, but he was not able to be there in person. And yet the Lord still spoke to the church through Paul. We too long to be WITH our people, but right now we are not able to be with them personally. What an encouragement to us, as we are kept apart from the people the Lord has called us to minister. May I encourage you by reminding you that the Lord can still minister through us and provide that personal touch?
This is a tough time. COVID-19 is no joke. It is a new ab(normal) and a time in which we need to be creative and listen in to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As you reach out and encourage those to whom you are called to minister, please know I am praying for you. I know how hard it is to be away from those we love and lead, but the Lord has given us the most incredible example of how he has worked and ministered in the past. Ministry went on, the Spirit spoke, the church was built, lives were changed and community was form even while the beloved leader was inaccessible. What a gift the Lord has given to us in technology and all the different ways we have to “touch” those we lead. Keep Pressing on you are making a difference in the Body of Christ.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
A Spacious Place 
Such an encouraging word, Melissa! I’m excited you have this new blog and love how God is stirring in your heart to share His hope in this written form. Love you!!
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Such an encouraging word, Melissa! I’m excited you have this new blog and love how God is stirring in your heart to share His hope in this written form. Love you!!
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Melissa – Love your writing. Deepens my faith and trust in the Lord.
So thankful for you.
So awed by the Lord.
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april1981whg is Ellen Freitas
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