It is so hard to keep going when there is a lack of guidance. Let me use myself as an example with my exercise in the mornings. For the past few years I have gotten up in the mornings before I start my mental day and get some physical work done. I walk/jog a little over 3 miles to get the body moving. Well, over the past few months, I have found it difficult to get up and when I do, I do not seem to have the same enthusiasm with the exercise. What I have found is that I have a lack of motivation and accountability to actually get the work done. The same holds true with just about everything in my/our life. Paul knew this as he spread the gospel and planted churches.
“5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:5 (ESV)
Paul had planted the church at Thessalonica and then left to continue His work. Knowing the nature of man, as I mentioned earlier, he was concerned that the temptation to wander away from God without guidance was too great. Did he have faith in the church to continue the work, yes, but he was also very aware of the evil one and the weakness of new converts without proper guidance and accountability.
In life, I need to have some guidance. Yes, I have to be self-sufficient to start things and to move forward, but I am also a child of God and as a child I need to be guided. The guidance I need must be on a daily basis and not left to chance. I need God to keep me on the right path. I need the Holy Spirit to guide me daily in the way that I should go.
Paul was brought great news when the report of the church at Thessalonica was returned to him. Timothy went as noted above and reported back that the church indeed was continuing the work of God. The Church had found its guidance and was faithful to God.
“6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7 (ESV)
I am staying with the LORD. I am His child and with His guidance, will finish the work. I have Lori in my life to keep me moving in the direction of God, although as much as she does, I still lean heavily on the Holy Spirit each day. I have God’s Word and the love of Him as well as you to keep me going each day. I write of what I have read and do not believe I have all of the answers as I am still trying to figure it all out. I may be wrong and if that is true I need others to point to the wrong so as to guide me back to the path provided by the LORD. I am concerned for you and for me as I continue this walk toward the LORD. I need all that I can get to guide me down the path the LORD has for me. I need the accountability. I need to avoid the temptation. I need the guidance to keep going.
What is keeping you from staying on the path? Are you allowing yourself to be stopped by the evil one? What if you leaned on other Christians and the Holy Spirit to keep you on the path God has for you?
Trevor's Thoughts 