“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
After taking a look at the history behind 2 Corinthians, I marvel at Paul. The book of 2 Corinthians is actually the fourth letter he wrote to the people of Corinth. The first and third letters were lost and only the second and fourth remain. I wonder what Paul was trying to convey in those lost letters? In Paul’s final letter to the church of Corinth we have a great look at who God is and how devoted Paul was in his relationship with Jesus.
When I began to read this book and came across these verses I couldn’t help but be instantly convicted. Paul suffered much and because of this he understood “that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God,” he clearly shows us that even though we experience tribulations, we in turn not only have an opportunity, but also the duty to allow God to work through us and help others.
Wake up and look around at the world today. Poverty, murder, divorce, anger, cheating, lying, is all happening around us daily. Yet we choose to ignore the person in the hallway of the school crying because they are not one of our close friends. We CHOOSE to ignore the hurt and pain of others and in doing so neglect our duty to God. Too many times we are so incredibly selfish that we neglect our Godly responsibilities. We worry. What are my friends going to think? What are the people around me going to say? Will people assume I am fake? These are real fears. Let’s be honest, does it matter?
I realize that these pressures are real. I also realize that the only approval we need is God’s. Right after I was saved I was walking through the hallways at lunch. I walked past a guy who was sitting on the floor crying and sobbing. He wasn’t a very popular kid, in fact, I made fun of him quite a bit. I remember thinking I should stop and pray, or do something. Did I? No, I didn’t want to be caught sitting with him. I thought I would be an instant social outcast. Later I found out his dad had just passed away the night before. About a week later he dropped out of school. So what’s my point? Ten years later and I remember it like yesterday. I feel extremely guilty that I didn’t have the courage to stop and care. So when I read this verse it made me think of him. What if I would have comforted him as God has comforted me? I had a rough childhood and sometimes I wish someone would have stopped and shared who God was with me. That didn’t happen. Maybe if I would have stopped that day I could have helped. Maybe he would have felt like someone cared. Maybe he would have stayed in school. God gives us opportunities to share his love, but often we are too blind to see them. I hope we can change our perspective on the people that surround us and instead reach out and change the lives of the people we encounter. Even if we don’t think they are important. Remember God sent his son for all not just a select few.
