Finding Comfort Along the Journey

Last Wednesday I began this brief series, which I titled ‘The Journey to the Manger.’ And today I came across this passage in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, and the topic I would like to share today is finding comfort along the journey. One of the things I began reflecting on during this season we are entering is that patience is one of the most forgotten virtues in the times in which we live.

As we draw closer to Christmas Day, it can be a good reminder to us that this ability to wait should be the attitude that prevails in each of us as believers; that ability to wait should be something that defines us.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we learn that there is a time for everything, right? There is a time to throw a stone and a time not to throw it. I think I added that part; it does not say it that way. There is a time to build and a time to tear down. There is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. There is a time to weep and a time to laugh. And to that list I add this dimension: there is a time to be patient, just as there is a time to take action and move. There are times when one must be still and wait, as that psalm says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’

There are also moments when, through action, we come to know another dimension of God. In this passage from 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 that I want to read to you, I saw a very interesting dynamic in the Apostle Paul. Beginning in verse 17, look at what it says:

“…But we, brothers and sisters, having been separated from you for a short time—in person, but not in heart—endeavored all the more, with great desire, to see you face to face. Therefore, we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, certainly tried again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown in which I may boast? Is it not you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? You are our glory and joy. Therefore—look at this expression; now I am going to chapter 3, verse 1—therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we agreed to remain in Athens and sent Timothy, our brother, God’s servant and our fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these tribulations—the tribulations Paul was experiencing—for you yourselves know that we have been appointed for this. For even when we were with you, we foretold that we would undergo tribulations, just as it has happened, as you know. Therefore—once again, look at how Paul puts it—therefore, when I too could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith…”

That phrase, ‘when I could bear it no longer’—how interesting it is to see this Apostle, one of the heroes of our Christian faith, one of the people who has had the greatest influence on the doctrinal principles we hold today, our principles of faith. At this moment, he is displaying a sense of impatience, unable to bear it any longer. And I reached a point where I wanted to reflect on this dynamic of how I can discern when it is time to wait, when it is time for me to be patient, and when it is time for me to take action, when it is time for me to move and do something. When should I wait for God to intervene, and when should I be the one to move in some way to stir the hand of God so that something happens?

Notice how I said, stir the hand of God, not twist God’s arm, because there are times when we tend to do the latter. Paul’s deep desire was to know how his spiritual children in Thessalonica were persevering in their life of faith.

Look at the context in which Paul is writing this. Paul is experiencing the tribulations that come with his ministry, the opposition he is facing, but despite that, he is thinking about his spiritual children. Did you know that Thessalonica was the first church Paul founded? It was the first church Paul founded, so they are his spiritual children, the ones closest to his heart, so to speak. And amid all the circumstances he had been experiencing, his sole desire was to know how they were doing and to be able to see them.

Although the circumstances he was experiencing were preventing him from doing so, his wholehearted desire was to be there with them. He was at a point when he had to wait; he had to wait to see what his final verdict would be—whether they would keep him in prison, whether they would let him go, whether he would have to defend himself before someone, or whether he would have to place himself at someone’s mercy.

And amid all those things, what he finds within himself is: I have to know—as I would say in good Puerto Rican fashion—I have to hear from my people. I miss my people; I need to know how they are doing. Because they too were experiencing their own tribulations. The church in Thessalonica was also facing its challenges: other doctrines and other teachings were arising around them and, in one way or another, were trying to overshadow the faith of the believers there.

And Paul felt this urgency to encourage them, to exhort them, so that they might persevere in what they had believed. When we wait, I ask you, when we wait, what are the reasons for our desperation? Am I making myself clear? Amid our waiting, we become desperate—are you following me? Or is there someone here who is super patient? If there is someone here who is super patient, I would like to make an appointment with you so you can counsel me, please.

But amid our waiting, we become desperate; we grow anxious. And that is why I ask: What are the reasons behind that anxiety, behind that desperation? Is it a whim that is driving that anxiety? Is it simply, ‘No, because I want what I want, and I want it now’? Since we live in the age of now, of the ATM, where you put in your card and the money comes out quickly and it asks whether you want a receipt or not—since we live in that kind of age—our capacity for the virtue of waiting keeps diminishing; our tolerance for waiting keeps declining, and we become anxious and want things quickly, just like that.

What is the motivation behind that anxiety, behind that desperation? Is it a selfish whim? Or perhaps, like Paul, is it a genuine desire to see someone else’s well-being? Paul could easily have said, ‘I am writing to the Thessalonians, I am dying to get out of this prison, I cannot take it anymore; God might as well take me now, because I cannot bear it anymore.’ He could easily have said that. ‘I have devoted myself to ministry in vain. Forget it—no, no, no. These prisons, with their foul smells and everything else in them, have really gotten to me.’

He could have complained that way, selfishly, but no, that was not the case. Amid his extremely difficult situation, what he was doing was desiring good for others. Amid his waiting, the desperation that arose was, ‘I need to know how my brothers and sisters are doing.’ So I ask—and you should ask yourself—those of us who are in a season of waiting, what motivations might be causing that anxiety, that desperation?

Notice that, in this case, Paul leads me to understand that it is okay to become desperate, but to become desperate for what is right, not for whatever one wants. It is a desperation that seeks the well-being of other people. There is a very big difference between becoming desperate and anxious for what you want to see and becoming desperate and anxious to see another person doing well in life and doing well with God.

Those are two very different scenarios. And I faithfully believe, my brothers and sisters, that this season in which we find ourselves can help us think about that. Every one of us, my brothers and sisters, in our relationship with God, is at one point or another waiting for him to do something, for him to work something in our lives. And I believe and understand that it is completely normal to think that way. We want God to bless us—of course we do. I want God to bless me; I want to see more in my life than what I have seen thus far.

And perhaps that may sound like a whimsical or selfish desire, but it is not. It is a biblical desire. It is a biblical principle for me to see that abundant life God has for me. When Jesus himself says, ‘The things I have done, you will do also. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will do for you.’ Those promises the Lord gives us lead me to understand that what I have seen in my life up to this day is nothing compared with everything he can do and will do in my life. And I must pursue that; I must become desperate for that—to see what God is going to do in my life.

But the point I understand Paul to be making here, my brothers and sisters, through this thought and this feeling, is that we must be careful that this desire to see God’s hand upon us does not overshadow God’s true desire: that the blessing he brings into our lives may build up the lives of others.

Are you following where I am going with this? When God blesses you, that blessing is not meant to remain with you. That blessing is meant to reach another person around you, someone who may need the same portion, or an even greater portion, than what you have received. And that must be the desire that moves us. As Paul said, ‘When I could bear it no longer, I had to do something about it. I grew tired of my time of waiting, and I had to take some kind of action.’

Imagine: What better gift could we give someone in this season than simply letting them know that you are desperate to see that person’s well-being become a reality? Not that you bring them a new necklace from Kay Jewelers or something like that, although I know that, for women, that is…

But think about it, my brother; think about it. What better gift could we give someone than to let them know genuinely, ‘My heart’s desire is to see God’s work and promises fulfilled in your life more than ever during this time’? What would the dynamic of our lives, the dynamic of our conduct, be like if we truly put the well-being of others ahead of our own? What a difference that would make!

Again, it does not mean that you throw yourself down like a doormat on which people can wipe their shoes. That is not what I mean. But we should indeed seek that well-being, so that just as you are desperate to see the hand of God in your life, that same desperation may propel and move you even more to see the hand of God moving all around you.

I believe that on that journey toward the manger, my brothers and sisters—think about this—on that journey toward the manger, when we all want to encounter the Lord, we all come saying, ‘Lord, we want to encounter you. I want my portion; I want my manna for today.’ We are all thinking in a very individualistic way, but on that journey, also stop and think about the person beside you, who may be thinking the same thing, but whom you can bless by desiring that person’s well-being.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. As we draw closer to Christmas Day, let us think about that and find comfort, my brothers and sisters, in that truth. When you seek the well-being of another person, look, God will make sure that what you need is in its proper place as well. God does not forsake any of his righteous ones. God never forsakes his own, much less when his people are seeking to make sure that God’s blessings truly reach the hearts of others who need them too.

So I will leave you with that for today. I want to be faithful to the time. Let us stand, my brothers and sisters; let us close with a prayer.

Beloved God, once again we give you thanks. Thank you, Lord, for your word; thank you for the way you encourage us, inspire us, and meet us at different moments along life’s journey, Lord. Thank you for the favors you offer us at every moment, Lord. But likewise, Father, having reflected on this portion of Scripture, Jesus, I ask you, Father, please, on this journey we are taking toward meeting that King, may your Spirit bring to our hearts the conviction, God, of how we can be channels of your blessing to other people around us.

Amid the busyness, amid the hustle and bustle this season may bring, Lord, may we find time to feel that urgency to pray and seek the well-being of other people around us. And in doing so, may we find comfort and rest for our own lives, knowing that we are living in the light of the principles of your Spirit, Lord, of your word, of your Kingdom.

I ask that this word, Lord, as short and brief as it may have been, Jesus, may have touched the hearts of my brothers and sisters in some way, and may this word continue to echo in our minds and in our hearts so that we may live in the light of the desire of your heart—not merely ours, but yours, Lord.

Take us safely to our homes, Lord; protect us along the way. When we reach our beds to rest, Lord, may you allow our bodies to renew their strength; speak to us in our dreams, Lord. And tomorrow, if you so permit, God, may we rise with renewed strength and energy to tackle whatever tomorrow may bring.

Give us your blessing, Lord. Give us your peace and inspire us, Lord, to live in the light of those things you have for us. We ask you for all this in the name of your beloved Son Jesus. Amen, Lord; thank you, God. Brothers and sisters, God bless you and keep you. Keep moving forward in the Lord. Greet one another. We will see each other next time. Blessings.