What a year in God’s Word. As I reflect back on this year’s series I can’t help but be grateful to God for such a timely word for our tribe. As I sat on my desk praying and preparing each sermon, each and every week, I felt as if I got to sit next to the great Apostle as he poured out his love and heart to this young tribe in Corinth. Like a father who never gives up on his children, I could feel Paul’s concerns, his worries, his hope, his determination to see them through the thick and thin. What an apostle, what a pastor. But as I sat praying and meditating with the final chapter in hand (on screen), I was moved by the fact that this letter was not written on the mountain of epic spiritual encounters and on tablets of stone. It was written in the valley of enduring, mundane, faithful love.
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.”
The easiest thing for this great apostle to do was to ignore, let go, and dismiss this community altogether. Paul could've set a “boundary” and said to himself, “oh well, we tried, if they do not want to submit, listen, change and grow, then it’s their fault. I wish them well but I’ve got to go on and do God’s work with people that are humble enough to receive it, hungry enough to want it.” But he does not do this. Instead, he endures and remains engaged. The power of this letter was that there was a letter. The letter itself is the miracle, the fruit of God’s love and mercy taking deep root in Paul. The letter is proof of faithful love.
As another series ends for us at Ekko, I pray that we remain faithful to God and his people, that when push comes to shove, we too would be found enduring in love and… writing a letter.
Ekko, thank you, your love for God is inspiring.
Your love for each other ever growing.
Your kindness towards
Faithfully Yours,
Bryan