Finding comfort during the day

Last Wednesday I started this short series that I titled 'The Journey to the Manger'. And today I came across this passage in First Thessalonians chapter 2 and the topic that I would like to share today is finding comfort during the journey. One of the things that I began to reflect on in this time in which we are entering, is that patience is one of those most forgotten virtues in this time that we have to live.

As we approach Christmas Day it may be a good reminder to us that this ability to wait must be the dominant stance in each of us as believers, that ability to wait must 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 the stone and a time not to throw it. I think I added that there, it doesn't say so. There is a time to build and a time to destroy. There is a time to hug and a time to refrain from hugging. There is a time to cry and there is a time to laugh. And to that list I add this dimension that there is time to be patient as there is also time to take action and move. There are times when one has to be still and wait, as that psalm says, 'be still and know that I am God'.

As there are also moments in which in action we know another dimension of God. This passage from First Thessalonians, chapter 2 that I want to read to you, I saw a very interesting dynamic in the Apostle Paul. Starting in verse 17 notice how it says:

“…But we, brothers, separated from you for a little while in sight but not in heart, all the more sought with much desire to see your face, for which we wanted to come to you, I, Paul, certainly again and again but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown that I glory? Perhaps you are not before our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming, you are our glory and joy. Therefore, look at this expression, − now I go to chapter 3, verse 1 – for which, not being able to bear it any longer, we agreed to stay in Athens and sent Timothy, our brother, God's servant and our collaborator in the Gospel of Christ to confirm and exhort them regarding your faith, so that no one is disturbed by these tribulations, − tribulations that Paul was experiencing – because you yourselves know that we are not set for that because also being with you we predicted that we were going to pass tribulations as it has happened and you know. For this reason, once again look at how Paul says, for this reason I too, not being able to bear any more, sent to inform me of your faith..."

That phrase 'not being able to take it anymore', how interesting to see this Apostle, one of the heroes of our Christian faith, one of the people who has infused the most about our doctrinal principles that we have today, our principles of faith. Right now he is showing a sense of impatience, not being able to take it anymore. 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 be able 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 stimulate the hand of God and something happens?

Look how I said, stimulate the hand of God, not twist God's arm, because there are times that we tend to do the second part. 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 oppositions that he is receiving, but despite that, he is thinking of his spiritual children. Do you know that Thessalonica was the first church that Paul founded? It was the first church that Paul founded, so they are his spiritual children, the closest to his heart, if you will. And in the midst of all the circumstances that he has been experiencing, his only wish was to know how they were, was to be able to see them.

Although the circumstances he was experiencing were preventing him, with all his desire was to be there, with them. He was in a moment where he had to wait, he had to wait to see what his final verdict was going to be, if they were going to leave him in jail, if they were going to let him go, if he was going to have to defend himself in front of someone or if he was going to have to be able to be at someone's mercy.

And in the midst of all these things, what he finds in himself is, I have to know, as I would say in good Puerto Rican, I have to know about my people. I need my people, I need to know how they are. Because they too were experiencing their tribulations. The church in Thessalonica was also having its challenges, other doctrines, other teachings that were emerging around them and in some way or another they were trying to overshadow the faith of the believers there.

And Paul had this urgency to be able to encourage them, to exhort them, so that they could persevere in what they had believed. When we wait, I ask you, when we wait, what are the reasons for our despair? I explain? In the midst of our waiting, we despair, do you follow me? Or is there someone here who is super patient? If there is someone here who is super patient, I want to make an appointment with you so that you can counsel me, please.

But in the midst of our waiting we despair, we become anxious. And that is why I ask, what are the reasons behind that anxiety, behind that despair? Is it a whim that is motivating that anxiety? No, because I want to have what I want and it is now. Since we live in the time of now, of the ATM, you put in the card and the money comes out quickly and it gives you the option if you want the receipt or not, since we live in that type of time, that virtue of us being able to wait like that more and more that tolerance is lowering while waiting is lowering and we get anxious and want things like that quickly.

What is the motivation behind that anxiety, behind that despair? Is it a selfish whim? Or maybe like Pablo, is it a genuine desire to see the well-being of someone, of another person? Paul could easily have said, I'm writing to the Thessalonians, I'm crazy to get out of this jail, I can't take it anymore, God may take me, I can't take it anymore. He could easily have said that. In vain I have given myself to the ministry, forget it, no, no, no. And these prisons here with the bad smells and everything that is there makes me sick.

He could have complained like that, in a selfish way, but no, that wasn't the case. In the midst of his tight situation, what he was doing was wishing well for others. In the midst of their waiting, the despair that arose was, I need to know how the well-being of my brothers is. So I ask, ask yourself, those of us who are in a time of waiting, what are the motivations that can cause this anxiety, this despair?

Look at this case, Pablo makes me understand that it's okay to despair, but to despair for what is right, not for what one wants. It is desperate that what you are looking for is the well-being of other people. There is a very big difference between despair and yearning for what one wants to see and despair and yearning to see another person be well in their life, be well with God.

They are two very different scenarios. And I faithfully believe, my brothers, that this time in which we find ourselves can help us think about that. Each one of us, my brothers, in our relationship with God at one time or another is waiting for him to do something that he operates something in our lives. And I believe and understand that it is totally normal to think like this, we want God to bless us, I'm sure he does, I want God to bless me, I want to see more in my life than what I have seen.

And this may sound like a whimsical or selfish desire, but it is not. It is a biblical wish. It is a biblical principle, for me to see that abundant life that God has for me. When Jesus himself says, the things that I have done, you will also do. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will do it for you. Those promises that the Lord gives us make me understand that what I have seen to this day in my life is nothing compared to everything he can do and will do in my life. And I have to look for that, I have to despair for that, to see what God is going to do in my life.

But the point that I understand that Paul is bringing here, my brothers, with this thinking, with this feeling, is that we have to be careful, my brothers, that this desire to see the hand of God in us does not overshadow the true God's desire is that the blessing that he brings to our lives can be of edification to the lives of others.

They follow me where I'm going When God blesses you, that blessing is not meant to stay with you. That blessing is so that it can reach another person around you, another person who perhaps needs the same portion or a larger portion of what you have received. And that has to be the desire that moves us. As Pablo was saying, not taking it anymore I had to do something about it. I got tired of my timeout and had to take some kind of action.

Imagine what better gift we can give someone at this time than the mere fact of knowing that you are desperate to see the well-being of that person come true. Not that you bring her a new necklace from Kate Jewelers or anything like that, although I know that for women that is…

But think about it, my brother, think about it. What better gift can we give someone than letting them know in a genuine way my heart's desire is to see God's work and promises come true in your life more than ever at this time. What would the dynamics of our lives be like, the dynamics of our behavior if we truly put the well-being of others before ours? What difference would it be?

Again, it's not that you throw yourself down as a rug where shoes can be cleaned on top of you. It's not that. But that we can seek that well-being that just as you despair to see the hand of God in your life, that same despair drives you and moves you even more to see the hand of God moving around you.

I believe that on that journey to the manger, my brothers, think about this, on that journey to the manger, that we all want to meet the Lord, we all come, Lord, we want to meet with you. I want my portion, I want my manna today. We are all thinking in a very individualistic way, but on that journey, also think about that person who is next to you, who may be thinking the same thing, but that you can bless that person by wishing for that person's well-being .

Better to give than to receive. As we approach this Christmas Day, let us think about that and find comfort, my brethren, in that truth. When you seek the well-being of another person, look, God is going to take care of what you need to be in your place too. God leaves none of his righteous helpless. God never leaves his own helpless, much less when his own are looking for those blessings from God to truly reach the hearts of others who also need it.

So I'll leave you with that for today. I want to be true to time. We are going to stand up, my brothers, we are going to close with a prayer.

Dear God, once again we thank you. Thank you Lord for your word, thank you for the way in which you encourage us, inspire us, find us at different moments in the walk of life, Lord. Thank you for the favors that you offer us at every moment, Lord. But likewise, Father, having reflected on this portion of Scripture, Jesus, I ask you, Father, that please, on this journey in which we find ourselves coming to meet that King, that your spirit bring that conviction to our heart God, how we can be conduits of your blessing to other people around us.

That in the midst of the eagerness, in the midst of the hustle and bustle that this season may bring, Lord, that we can find time to feel that eagerness to pray and to seek the well-being of other people around us. And that by doing that we can find comfort, 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, cut it short, Jesus, that something may have reached the hearts of my brothers and sisters, and that this word may continue to echo in our minds and in our hearts to be able to live the light of your heart's desire and not only ours, but yours, Lord.

Take us safely to our homes, Lord, protect us along the way, that when we reach our beds to rest, Lord, that you allow our bodies to renew their energies, that you speak to us in our dreams, Lord. And that tomorrow, if you allow it, God, we can get up with new strength and energy to use everything that tomorrow can bring.

Give us your blessing, Lord. Give us your peace and inspire us, Lord, to live in light of those things that you have for us. We ask all this in the name of your beloved Son Jesus. Amen, Lord, thank you, God. Brothers, God bless you, God keep you. Forward in the Lord. Greet each other. We'll be seeing each other next time, blessings.