BONUS BLOG: God, who encourages those who are discouraged
Scotty Smith. Presbyterian. Seminary. Friend.
Especially when a reminder is, to quote a comparable Presbyterian, “a soothing unguent” —
| His Presence Was a Joy |
| SCOTTY SMITH |
| “When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus—whose presence was a joy” (2 Cor.7:5-7). Lord Jesus, I’m feeling my “humanity” this morning, so the Apostle Paul’s gift of his own vulnerability comes like a kiss. If Paul felt fear and discouragement at times, why would I assume otherwise for myself? Nothing major is sucking my joy—no school of angry piranha are munching on my heart. I think I’ve sprung a small “grace-leak” that needs attention. So thank you, Jesus, for the encouragement you send us at just the right time, in different ways, through various messengers. You’re quite capable of sending ravens and rainbows, manna and miracles, a fish with a coin in its mouth (Matt.17:24-27) or 153 fish into the nets of weary disciples (Jn.21:4-12). Most often you come to us through our friends.I love how Paul referred to his friend Titus: “His presence was a joy.” Titus didn’t put pressure on Paul to do more try harder. And he didn’t seem to be a verse-quoting, cliché-giving fixer—like Job’s “friends” who showed up in his stress and duress. Jesus, thank you for our Titus-like friends. They give us your unrushed, non-anxious, no-judgment, healing presence.When you are close, Jesus, “bruised reeds and smoldering wicks” feel no pressure to stand tall or glow like a lighthouse (Matt.12:15-21). Even as you come to us in our friends, so send us to our friends who need a bit (or a lot) of encouragement today. So Very Amen. |
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