“…stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter…”
Sometimes the things you look forward to the most become the things that sap your joy.
They lose their sparkle.
They disappoint.
They become a real drag.
It’s an unfortunate side effect of growing older. Things used to be so exciting, but then it hits you: it hasn’t been your day, your month, or even your year.
(BTW, if this sentence put a certain TV theme song in your head, it’s time to schedule your colonoscopy.)
Recently, I was casually scrolling through my Facebook feed, when a colorful post by “I love the 80s” caught my eye. It asked the simple question, “What used to be fun but now is not?”
I don’t know what entertaining quips I was expecting to find, but the comment section hit me hard. Over and over, I read similar responses:
“Living.”
“Life.”
“The world.”
“Everything.”
Woof. That’s some tough stuff, guys. Is this really all there is?
Stand Firm, Hold Fast
This morning, I read a letter written to another group of people who had reached the end of their rope and their hope.
In approximately 50 A.D., the Apostle Paul sent what is now known as 2 Thessalonians to a Macedonian church struggling to find any sense of joy and purpose. They faced ongoing and intense, unimaginable persecution.
This brief correspondence was actually a follow-up letter to one Paul had written shortly before. (Yep, you guessed it, we all that one “1 Thessalonians”.) In that first letter, he had raved about their incredible faith amidst the struggle.
“You became imitators of us and the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit,” Paul wrote. “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8a)
But somewhere between letters one and two, the voice of the enemy got inside their heads. They believed the lies that they’d missed Jesus’ second coming and that all hope was gone. That was it. There was nothing more to look forward to.
Distraught and defeated, those once fervent believers had given up entirely. Therefore, in his own shaky handwriting, Paul wrote them an urgent reminder to hold steady and keep moving.
Jesus was still coming. The Holy Spirit was there to comfort and sustain them. Their troubles were temporary. Their oppressors would be punished. God is just, and He will have the final word.
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
My Prayer for You
Throw a rock in any direction, and you will hit someone going through the wringer. This morning, as I type this, my mind wanders to several people in my own life who are struggling to find an ounce of joy in this ongoing battle we call life.
I think of my dad who faces unimaginable pain and discouragement as his body continues to fail him.
I think of my mom who is doing everything within her power just to keep her head above the water.
I think of my co-worker who’s taking care of two critically ailing parents, even as she reels from the pain of divorce.
I think of a dear friend who is recovering in the hospital after an all-day surgery to root out aggressive cancer.
The list of struggles goes on and on for me – and I imagine the same is true for you and for those you love. But with everything inside my being, I know and I can promise you this:
There is more to life than what you see in this moment.
Hold steady. Keep moving.
Jesus is still coming. The Holy Spirit is here to comfort and sustain you. Your troubles are temporary. Your oppressors will be punished. God is just, and He will have the final word.
Today, I type and utter the prayer over you that Paul wrote in his own hand (as recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”