Tom writes:

What really counts in the faith? What is it that will bring us glory in the presence of Jesus? Paul asked that question a lot. And every time I ask it I find it liberating and inspiring. Because the answer is not how many books we have read or people we have converted or how long our quiet times have been. It is relationships. It is love increasing and overflowing for each other and for everyone else. And that is something all us can do if we lean on the leading of Holy Spirit. What sparks staggering joy in the presence of God is saints we have edged up to and prayed for and put an arm around and spoken words of encouragement to. Blamelessness is being a believer in Jesus who mourns with the mourners and rejoices with the rejoicers and builds up others in the faith. Holiness is hugging and holding fast to others for their growth and their maturity in Jesus. It is house-group and prayer groups and people we have spoken to at coffee on a Sunday. It is quick messages or long listens or agonising alongside and not really knowing what to say. It is bearing with and choosing to forgive and cheering on. It is food together and drink together and sitting and not doing much together. I think you get the point?

When Jesus comes back all the work we have done for others in the spiritual realm will suddenly be exposed like UV rays under one of those special glow lamps. And people will walk up to us and say “thank you so much for praying for me that time”, “thank you for helping me understand a bit more of who Jesus was”, “thank you for challenging me about my addiction and my sin”, “thank you for helping me become a Christian”. And it will be a source of huge, huge joy for us. We will see the work that the Lord has done through us and it will be like a sparkling crown we place on our heads. Building others up - that’s what really counts in the faith so let’s devote ourselves to doing it in our town.

Question for reflection

Nurturing others often goes unappreciated. How can you keep reminding yourself of its value?

1 Thessalonians 3 - Friday 26th July