It's revealed in verses 8-9 that while awaiting for Titus return, Paul feared that his previous letter was too harsh and that he had driven away the congregation he started. He only wrote to them what he did because he loved them knowing he would cause them hurt, he cared more for their eternity than their earthly relationships. In the end however Paul acknowledges genuine repentance from the Corinthians and praises God for it. He said that they should highly anticipate his arrival is if he was a friend because there is no reason for them to be rebuked. I guess I was reminded that ministry could be pretty stressful. Paul built up the Corinthians to be effective Christians because he relied his ministry on God.
This makes me think, do I live my faith in my ministry or by my own rational? Am I being the overseer Paul calls in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
I've had to take responsibility of the very subtle sin of finding more assurance in christian brethren than I do in scripture. As a result, I've had to distance myself from specific people. What if these people give up reaching out and end up leaving me, that would do my head in and break my heart. I feel like a bitch because I wish I recognised this sin sooner and now I feel lonelier than usual. BUT, I believe God is faithful because of all the promises He's fulfilled from the Old Testament to New Testament. He's answered my prayers in ways that have broken me but have built me up toward Him. I'm confident that God will see me through this. Just like Paul I might regret this temporary pruning I've brought upon myself in the heat of the moment, but if my actions are based on prayer and scriptural verification I should have no biblical reason to fear. The outcome is all up to God, and He will be glorified nonetheless. May His will be done.
Prayer/response:
- May the outcome of today glorify you, and may I be content in your glorification
- Safe travels for the Vision team those aboard
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