Touchdown

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 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. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 ESV).

I know it’s not a very good picture, but it is a special one to me. It’s my grandson crossing the goal line for a touchdown in one of his first games. Logan, in Aledo black and orange, was given the ball for an end around to the left. As he took the ball he saw a gap in the middle of the line and cut through the crease outrunning the defenders for a 16 yard dash to the touchdown. I was proud… and cheering loudly! It was fun to watch him celebrate as he ran to the sidelines with teammates giving him high-fives. He was smiling after the game from ear to ear. Everyone likes an “attaboy” from time to time. Being recognized for doing a good job, affirmed in something that we’ve worked hard to accomplish is always a good feeling. That’s what the apostle is doing as he begins his letter to the church at Thessalonica. Our reading is a cheer along the marathon of life to them. We should think about that as we get closer to Easter. With the finish line ahead, sometimes the final lap can feel like such a struggle that if it weren’t for a good coach instilling in us the desire to finish the race, finishing strong would be difficult, if not impossible.The Apostle Paul knows what he’s talking about. Arguably, there have been few who suffered as much as Paul (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-12:10). For us, reading the writings of the Apostle Paul can be likened to being coached by the world record holder for endurance in suffering. In these writing he gives us some keys to enduring suffering and being worthy of our calling. They are continually growing in both faith and love. Keep up your pace! No pain, no gain! The hecklers will eventually eat your dust and you will be proven faithful. So Paul calls out some encouragement to finish strong, With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11). I hope you’ll spend some time today recognizing that you are closer than ever to crossing the goal line. And you will cross it successfully. Jesus has already opened the crease in the defense and it leads to the touchdown of life! Give yourself a high-five! You’re almost there!