17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.
I have learned firsthand the meaning of this verse. When I was deployed to Iraq my physical presence was not with my wife, but few moments went by when my thoughts were not with her and about her. At one point my family was on three continents. I could not see them face to face, but my heart was always present with them. My heart is also still in Romania, although it has been over four years since I have physically been there ministering to the orphans and alongside some wonderful believers who have given up everything to be there in Jesus name. When I hear from believers that I have had the privilege of pouring into their lives down through the years I am on edge. Did they allow the Gospel that we shared with them continue to grow or did they stifle it? You can never know for sure, so I sit on edge until the full report is heard. What a relief when the report is good, and what a sorrow when the report is bad. I feel like I have put parts of myself in so many people. Some have received large chucks of me, and some only small parts, but they have received. And I take those deposits personally because they come from the deep within me. But what is amazing is that I am still here, having given so much away. That is because what I have really given away is Jesus in me. That is the only thing really worth giving away. I give what I have received and I continue to receive from Him, so therefore I am not empty. One of the burdens and blessings of the ministry, whether full-time professional ministry or full-time non-professional ministry, is that we touch people’s lives. This is a blessing when they respond, but a burden when they don’t. I know this blog does not reach many people, but I pray those it does reach are positively affected, challenged to grow in grace, that salt is placed on your tongue so that you will run to the streams of living water so that you thirst no more. To be honest with you, this blog is helping me more than it is probably helping you. This added discipline is god for me.
PERSONAL NOTE: In the coming weeks my family goes through another major shift, moving states, grandson born, new job, hanging pictures…. If I am late or early on a blog, please extend me grace. We will need it.
The Arnold Journey 