June 13, 2010
Background Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2
Devotional Reading: Galatians 1:1-10

When Paul responded to his vision to “Come over to Macedonia and help us,” the first place he, Silas and Timothy set foot on the European continent was Philippi, where they were attacked by a mob, beaten and thrown into prison. When it was realized that they were Roman citizens, they released the three “and asked them to leave the city” (Acts 16:11-40).

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul says, “our visit to you was not in vain; but though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi …” (2:2). Apparently Paul met forceful opposition in Philippi, Berea and Thessalonica. I can’t help musing if, at this point, Paul didn’t wonder whether he had misunderstood the Troas vision. Wouldn’t you think that a vision would inherently promise at least a measure of success?

But Paul used this seeming injustice to teach the new congregation that heeding God’s call does not guarantee worldly success or comfort.

He never quit

 For one thing, their courage was not trust in themselves, but “courage in our God to declare to you the gospel.” If they had come to Macedonia for personal success, their visit would have been an abject failure. But, by the way they handled these experiences, they showed the new followers of Christ how to respond to opposition and persecution.

I am reminded of a young man who, in the years just preceding World War I, enrolled in a Midwest university. The record he compiled there was so-so. He entered into many college activities, but never excelled in any of them. He went out for football, but the best that could be said was that he was on the squad.

When World War I began, he volunteered to serve in a minor capacity with a medical unit until, one day, while trying to help a wounded man under fire, he was killed. The French government posthumously conferred upon him the Croix de Guerre and his university responded, with a tablet to his honor, reading: “He played four years on the scrubs – he never quit.” Neither did Paul.
Second, God entrusted them with the gospel because they spoke “not to please men, but to please God” (2:4). Let everyone say “AMEN!”

But, of course, saying “amen” however loudly and often is not what it is all about, because pleasing others instead of God is a temptation few of us escape. As children we sometimes went along with the crowd in alienating classmates who were “new,” “awkward” or “vulnerable.”

It is easier for us to do something we know to be wrong if “everyone else is doing it.” But, the admiration of  “everyone else” will mean nothing at all on the day of judgment.

Who ‘brung’ you?

There was a TV commercial in which “a good ol’ Texas” sage, Wilfred Brimley, advised viewers to “Dance with the one who brung you!” I still chuckle when I recall it, but cornball as it may be, that is really good advice for living the Christian life.

Pleasing the God who created and calls us to follow Jesus may seem easy when we see timely success crowning our efforts. But that was not what Paul, Timothy and Silas experienced in Macedonia, and Paul made a rather quick exit from the area, hurrying on to Athens.

His persistent desire there to receive word of what was going on with the church in Thessalonica suggests that he was, temporarily at least, in a state of some anxiety and perhaps he was questioning the call he believed God had given him at Troas.

But he persevered, and eventually Timothy brought him the promising report from Thessalonica. It was a modest report, but it lighted the fire that inspired Paul to continue his ministry there.
Somewhere in Mexico there is a famous statue by Jesus Garcia entitled, “In Spite Of.” Well into his work on a sculpture, Garcia lost the use of his right hand. But, determined to finish the statue, he worked at carving with his left hand. In time, he finished the statue, which not only was up to his usual standards, but was possibly even better.

It was the quality of his life that was embedded in the statue, so they called it “In Spite Of” – an inspiring comment on Garcia’s perseverance. And, why not on ours?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.