1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
In recent days my heart and my mind have been burdened by the plight of the women and children in Afghanistan. For twenty years they have been allowed to be educated, protected and seemed to flourish under the protections provided by a somewhat stable government and the presence of the US military. That is all gone now. The subjugation has resumed.
There is hardly a moment when I am not praying for them, asking the LORD to embolden the Church to reach out and proclaim the freedom we have in Jesus. And this is happening there. But there is also harsh persecution. I have heard of one congregation being slaughtered for their faith.
Have you ever been burdened for someone or something, and found it difficult to move on until you heard news that brought resolution? It might be someone facing a surgery, and you are in the waiting room, counting the minutes and seconds, wanting the smiling face of the doctor to walk in and tell you everything is alright, that they made it through the surgery and will recover. In those moments of relief our hearts shift.
The sense of relief we feel when good news comes in these moments of uncertainty can feel like a weight lifted or pressure released. Tears sometimes come for no apparent reason, liquid joy and relief. Just moments before there was weight and worry, but they are replaced by good feelings.
The apostle Paul was writing this letter in one of these times of relief. He had been concerned that the persecutions that were raining down on the church would lead some to walk away from their faith in Jesus. He carried a burden for these believers in Thessalonica.
I was so concerned that he sent Timothy to them to find out how they were fairing in the middle of the persecution. Timothy had just returned and shared an update on their condition. They were standing tall in their faith.
Paul hears this news and he can breathe again. The burden is lifted. Paul can once again rejoice with them in the Gospel.
Paul uses the phrase “now we really live” in our text to summarize this moment of relief. It is as though his heart had been on pause until he received this good report from Timothy, then he could resume life. He was living again! His work had not been in vain. They were continuing, even in the face of persecution.
Are there things in life for which you feel this kind of burden? It might be a loved one who hasn’t come to faith yet, or someone facing a severe trial, potential divorce or custody battle. It might be an economic hardship with everything hanging in the balance. It might be a burden for people in a distant land who haven’t heard the liberating news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
I want to encourage you to not run away from these moments of burden. They are there for a reason. They can cause us to realize our limitations and the power of God. They can turn our eyes away from insufficient earthly answers to eternal answers. And that will bring relief.
Some of these burdens might last for years. Don’t give up. Continue to reach out in prayer, lifting the burden you feel to the One who is able to carry it with you. One day you will experience the lifting of the burden and then you can really live, just like the apostle Paul.
The Arnold Journey 