Here is the revelation that is shaping my life today – everything about the Kingdom of God is other focused. Blessing flows, love flows, our experiences flow, from self to others. This is the design of the Kingdom. For me, for others.
2 Corinthians 1:4,6 TPT
[4] He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us. [6] 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 the same suffering that we experience.
Observation
The gospel is always – for me, for others. The intention of all that we receive from God is that it would be passed onto others. The gospel is not about individual salvation, its scope is everyone. Too often we make the gospel small, about me, my salvation, my circumstances. We make God about me and my stuff. We miss the intention, the power and the beauty of the gospel in this small self story. We walk with God in mystery and through intimate discovery we are transformed into His likeness and then we reveal Him to the world. This is discipleship, this is following. Don’t make it anything less than it’s beautiful whole.
What a statement, what a promise – “He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering.” What I need more than anything in suffering is someone to walk alongside and bring me comfort. We pray “get me out of here,” fair prayer, but with this we must declare that He is with us comforting us as we travel the journey through suffering. Suffering is rarely relieved in the instant, it usually requires a journey, so a comforter and fellow journeyor is exactly what we need. BUT don’t miss the “so that!” Every blessing poured on me has a “so that” of others attached to it. So that I can come alongside others and share the comfort I have experienced.
Application
“For the comfort pouring into us empowers us to bring comfort to you.” I will not deny others blessings by denying myself the blessings you offer me. When I walk alone, when I resist and push you away with some form of blame for my circumstances, then not only do I miss comfort, I miss being able to be the comfort to those around me. I deny self and rob others. I will not give my anger, and my lack of capacity to comprehend the mystery of the randomness of life, to distant myself from exactly what I need when suffering enters my story, not for me alone, but for the sake of others also. For me, for others.
Response
Thank you that this life is not about me. Thank you that you call me to a life that is larger than just me focus. Thank you that you bless me to be a blessing. That in your intimacy I discover the beauty and mystery of you, this then transforms me into your image, the truest form of me, and then beauty and love send me to reflect you. No coercion, no manipulation, just my free encounter of beauty and love move me passionately to share all that I have received. I love this life.
Meditation
Meditate – so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial.
Consider:
How often is my focus just in me? How often do I fail to see my life in terms of its impact on others?
Is it beauty and love that compels me? Or do I feel the whip and fear of coercion and manipulation?
JOURNEY DEEPER
