Perseverance and minding our own business. These seem like exclusively contemporary issues. Yet today we hear them addressed by the letter to the Thessalonians, one of the earliest texts in the New Testament, and the Gospel.
We are quick to compare ourselves to others. Whether we look to find fault in the other or we look to put the other on a pedestal to our own detriment, we are missing our call as Christians. Paul writes urging the Thessalonians to work hard within their own role of society - be it a business owner, tradesman, or housewife. These first century Christians were to mind their own business - the business of their salvation and growing as disciples of Christ without judging their neighbor or coveting what the person next to them owns. If we do look to our neighbor’s business, it should be solely to love them and help them journey into deeper relationship with Christ.
In a town that hosts a marathon and waited 108 years for a beloved baseball team to bring home the World Series championship, we understand something about perseverance. Do we bring that same level of preparation, practice, dedication, and long-range vision to our faith?
Where in your life might you need to stop paying quite so much attention to the business of others?
What is the business that Jesus is calling to you to mind in your daily life?
How can you focus on perseverance in your faith journey?
No comments:
Post a Comment