Paul sets his face towards gratitude
by Pastor Tim Castle-Schmidt
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For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
I cannot begin to imagine the trauma and suffering occurring in places like Ukraine, Afghanistan and Myanmar or the individual suffering caused by COVID. But then, neither can I imagine the suffering Paul went through for the gospel, even being stymied in his attempts to visit a congregation to build up their faith.
Yet, I have learnt that when we go through such times, we do not come out of them the same.
Life changes us. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We learn that we don’t need everything we thought we did to be happy. I hope COVID has taught us that.
But like Paul, we can know that God is sovereign even – especially – when it doesn’t look like it. We can, again like Paul, set our face towards gratitude and find in that gratitude a glimpse of the eternal joy to which we are called.
In fact, if you read this passage closely, you find that Paul’s joy is in those who have held onto faith despite the troubles of life. So let’s give thanks for those we share our faith with and celebrate the gift of life that we are given through Jesus, recognising how our faith grows through life’s experiences.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being with us through life’s trials and celebrations. Help us be changed and live in gratitude by embracing those people you join us with through life. May we reflect your life and love to them too. Amen.
Tim Castle-Schmidt is the pastor of Onkaparinga Lutheran Parish in the Adelaide Hills. After spending many years as a teacher in Lutheran schools, he says he finally listened to God’s call to pastoral ministry. Tim is passionate about social justice and engaging the church with contemporary society. Tim shares his life with Fiona, daughter Miranda, a Jack Russell called Otto and 10 chooks.
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