Be the message

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (Message version)

What word of instruction do you hear?
Be the message. What I find fascinating (and humbling) about this text is that the people of Thessalonica were living out their faith in such a dramatic way that people in other towns were telling Paul and Silas and Timothy how amazing the church in Thessalonica had been to Paul and Silas and Timothy. In other words, the missionaries were being told the story they had come to preach!

Now that's a witness. They were walking the talk. They were living what they said they believed. They hadn't just heard the gospel. They WERE the gospel. They embodied faith, love, and hope. And it brought them joy! Joy that prevailed over persecution. It was a way of life that inspired everyone who even heard about them.

For what would you like to give thanks?
For my grandparents, who set an example of hard-working faith, laboring love, patient hope, and prevailing joy.

How have you missed the mark?
Paul often writes about being in constant prayer for those whom he has ministered to/with. It reminds me that I need to pray more often for those who are a part of my ministry.

How is God present to you?
The images of God's hand upon me and the Holy Spirit putting steel in my convictions are resonating with me. I've been feeling tired and uncertain about the future. And, though I still don't know exactly where God is leading or how things will look five minutes from now, much less five years from now, I feel more confident about my ability to lead because I do know that God's hand is upon me, and I believe God has given me a vision for the future.

I am reminded of a chorus that our youth group sang way back in the dark ages when I was a teenager. I don't know who wrote it or if it is copyrighted.

Of my hands I give to you, O Lord.
Of my hands I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my hands I give to you.

Of my heart I give to you, O Lord.
Of my heart I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my heart I give to you.

Of my life I give to you, O Lord.
Of my life I give to you.
I give to you as you gave to me.
Of my life I give to you.
All my life I give to you.