Our scripture this morning is 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5.
But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
Paul writes to the Thessalonians of the “patient endurance that comes from Christ”. This is the hardest thing for most of us – waiting is not natural to us, we want what we want and we want it now! This impatience often gives evil the opening needed to disrupt our lives.
If we want to follow Jesus in faith, we must be willing to accept God’s plan and God’s timing. It is not within our power to change the world overnight. It is a process and it requires us to let go of what we think we want and wait to see what God has in mind for all of us.
God calls us to be part of what He is doing in the world. He wants to “lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression” of His love, that we might share it with others. Today, listen with your heart and mind to know what He offers and what He asks of us.
Gracious God, we are amazed that You forgive us and want us back in relationship with You. Help us to endure patiently and work actively for the good of Your kingdom. Amen.
