Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12
I write quite a bit from what I read, hear in a message or song, or even a conversation with friends. Sometimes a theme or verse emerges from these different sources giving me a sense that God is close and wants me to pay attention. Psychologists call this synchronicity. I have learned it is not a coincidence.
Lately, I have written about movement; that movement is key to encountering God in the present moment. Daily devotional readings and a message from my pastor at church have reinforced my statement about movement.
Paul David Tripp, in his writing for November 11 (“New Morning Mercies”), writes: “You don’t wait for grace and then do what God told you to do. You get enabling grace in motion.” Tripp’s message is the same missive I want to convey. And, another synchronous teaching came during a pastor’s sermon this past Sunday. Pastor Nick at 3 Circle Church spoke of the church’s unity and members being ambassadors to a hurting world. Christians cannot be models of the Christian life if we’re not serving and moving to bring light to those in this fallen world.
I am not saying that rest, prayer, meditation, and study are not necessary. On the contrary! Rest, prayer, meditation, and reflection are part of the moving. What I am saying is, “Don’t give up!” God will be with you when you encounter obstacles.
I am writing this to myself as much, if not more, than to you. It’s easy to call it quits when situations don’t go as planned. But be strong and be courageous as God instructed Joshua and others. He will be there every moment.
