TEACHER

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure to be a part of a selected team tapped by a United Methodist Counsel to begin constructing a HEALTH OFFICE focused on ways the CHURCH can continue and, in some cases, begin to help communities impacted by the addiction epidemic and its ramifications.  This team is charged with creating ENGAGEMENT opportunities for the CHURCH in the targeted region with a focus on mothers and children impacted by addiction.

And as this new kinship began to form the plan and strategy, Chad our leader offered an excerpt of 2 Corinthians 1 from GOD’S Word as one of the foundations for our efforts.

In this passage, Paul was sharing with the folks in Corinth about his struggles.  And yet despite the challenges, Paul was educating them, and us, that challenges were catalysts of comfort.  In other words, the tougher the challenge, the more faithful GOD to bring us the comfort, strength and endurance to make it through.

Part of the passage is below…

as we experience the abundance of Christ’s own sufferings, even more of God’s comfort will cascade upon us through our union with Christ.

If troubles weigh us down, that just means that we will receive even more comfort to pass on to you for your deliverance! For the comfort pouring into us empowers us to bring comfort to you. And with this comfort upholding you, you can endure victoriously - 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 (TPT)

And while currently I am the only one of the new consortium to have experienced addiction, each member brought a unique perspective on “suffering”. 

We have a mom whose son is still working his way through the challenge of substance use.  A chaplain who comforts so many each and every day at a Columbus hospital, an oncology nurse who has seen the worst of that challenge, a neonatal specialist whose faith has empowered her to take on the challenge of the hardest of cases, addicted mamas and their impacted infants, and my dear colleague who is a first of its kind, ADDICTION MINISTRIES Pastor.

And I believe Chad our leader chose this passage from Paul to remind us that our sufferings and experiences are never without purpose regardless of context.  And while they are often unpleasant and painful, they often press us to the breast of the FATHER as we seek understanding, deliverance and comfort. 

And when we are afforded those things in our challenge it validates the providence and caring nature of GOD in our toughest moments.  And those experiences are vital as we wade into the challenges of others, those experiences set the foundation of hope that is always so needed.

So why share this new effort, this passage?

It is to remind each of us that our pain is often a teacher and an impacting tool for ministry.  When GOD helps us to weather OUR storms of life, we are often presented with wonderful opportunities to SERVE others who may be in the throes of theirs.

Ovid said it this way,

Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.

Remember friends,

this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV)

I love you all.

Have a BLESSED DAY!!!

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE