Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5 are such a beautiful expression of God’s heart being expressed through Paul. Paul’s longing for, and delight in these people, is a reflection of God’s longing for and delight in them. Paul refers to them as ‘the crown in which he glories’. God delights in his people. When we begin to regard each other as Paul regards these people then we will begin to become the family that God wants us to be. Every person is like a glorious plant in the garden of God, full of potential. He wants to see each person grow, blossom and bear fruit. This was Paul’s longing for these people, and it is something that we must grow to desire in our fellow Christians. Your church is like a garden bed in which a lot of potential beauty lies. With the love and prayers of each member this potential will come to fruition so that, what was once in seed form, will blossom into an abundance of blessing. Pray that your church becomes a rich garden which will give sustenance and life to many. That is what Paul longed to see in this Thessalonian church which God had led him to plant. In his absence they had loved one another and sought God together. So, when Paul sent Timothy to see whether the seeds of his work had survived, he found them not only alive but flourishing. They had grown into a rich green garden bed. Pray that the same might happen in your church community.
Pray for your church community to flourish.
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13
