II Thessalonians 1:1-12
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (v. 4) As the Thessalonians read or heard the words that Paul wrote they must have enjoyed a certain amount of personal pride (which is not a bad thing) in being so highly commended by him. Paul had written of them in similar fashion in his first letter to them: …so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere… (I Thess.:7-8a) He also lauded them in another letter: We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means… (II Corinthians 8:1-3).
As I ponder these words from Paul written nearly 2,000 years ago, I connect his words to our own church. A few weeks ago we had a “supply priest” from Chattanooga come to give the homily. He had been standing by to serve us as Interim Rector when the Bishop saw a greater need in a church in Missouri and sent him there. He spoke of us as being “in transition, not in crisis” – by way of comparison to the Missouri church. Clearly the Bishop had spoken highly of us to him. Also our earlier candidate, Father Joe spoke highly of us at his “exit interview” with Brian, describing us as “rich” – referring not to money (which we have) but to spirit, to maturity, to leadership. Again, high praise…! These praises certainly make us feel good about ourselves – and that’s a good thing. The important point here, however, is to accept those words with deep humility, knowing that the Lord has been working in our midst and that we are where we are because He is the One guiding and strengthening us! GLORY!!
See also: April 11 / II Thess. 1:1-12