The first Paul is Paul of Tarsus, my favorite author. This morning I read in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 (verse 29) "Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"
Paul is talking about the compassion he feels for his friends in Corinth. He makes this statement after a long rant about the suffering he, himself, has endured for his faith. Beaten, flogged, imprisoned, shipwrecked, robbed, despised by Jews and gentiles, times being cold & hungry, and on top of it all stressed about the well-being of friends in the many churches in which he had a hand.
Then he makes the statement referenced above, "when you're weak, I feel you, and I'm weak too; when you struggle with sin, my heart hurts along with yours." (paraphrased)
It's easy for me at times to get lost in my own suffering, none of which compares to what Paul endured, and much of which is of my own making (or imagining!) It's not always easy to have compassion for others in their struggles. Yet as relationships deepen, as we walk a path to eternity together, we develop concern for one another, that concern grows into care for one another, and that grows into true compassion. We can actually begin to feel each others pain.
Working where I do, I've often shared with people the importance of being a regularly active part of a church family. As part of a family, you have people - brothers and sisters - who are actually concerned for your well-being, and you become concerned for them as well. When you're living life together, needs don't have to be discussed, you KNOW when someone is hurting, you KNOW when there's a need, you feel it too.
My dear friend, Ron, used to always say "Many hands make light work" - and this is true. Our struggles don't seem as awful when we're struggling together with family. We are there to help and encourage each other through the rough stuff. We're there to carry the other's load when they can't right now. And step by step, together, we come through the suffering stronger, in our own ability to handle things and in our compassion for one another.
The other Paul on my mind this morning is Paul of Tupelo, Paul Thorn, one of my favorite singer/songwriters you've probably never heard of... Paul Thorn wrote a lyric that I find running in my head this morning after reading this passage and letting it mull about in my feeble mind: "I'm still here, I made it through another day, I'm still here, that's more than some can say, when I feel down I don't shed a tear, I say glory hallelujah, thank You Jesus, Praise the Lord I'm still here."
Thank You Lord, for placing me in a family, adopting me into Your family, and giving me people who care about me and who I can care for. Thank You for helping us all with our struggles, and thank You that by Your grace we're still here!
Paul is talking about the compassion he feels for his friends in Corinth. He makes this statement after a long rant about the suffering he, himself, has endured for his faith. Beaten, flogged, imprisoned, shipwrecked, robbed, despised by Jews and gentiles, times being cold & hungry, and on top of it all stressed about the well-being of friends in the many churches in which he had a hand.
Then he makes the statement referenced above, "when you're weak, I feel you, and I'm weak too; when you struggle with sin, my heart hurts along with yours." (paraphrased)
It's easy for me at times to get lost in my own suffering, none of which compares to what Paul endured, and much of which is of my own making (or imagining!) It's not always easy to have compassion for others in their struggles. Yet as relationships deepen, as we walk a path to eternity together, we develop concern for one another, that concern grows into care for one another, and that grows into true compassion. We can actually begin to feel each others pain.
Working where I do, I've often shared with people the importance of being a regularly active part of a church family. As part of a family, you have people - brothers and sisters - who are actually concerned for your well-being, and you become concerned for them as well. When you're living life together, needs don't have to be discussed, you KNOW when someone is hurting, you KNOW when there's a need, you feel it too.
My dear friend, Ron, used to always say "Many hands make light work" - and this is true. Our struggles don't seem as awful when we're struggling together with family. We are there to help and encourage each other through the rough stuff. We're there to carry the other's load when they can't right now. And step by step, together, we come through the suffering stronger, in our own ability to handle things and in our compassion for one another.
The other Paul on my mind this morning is Paul of Tupelo, Paul Thorn, one of my favorite singer/songwriters you've probably never heard of... Paul Thorn wrote a lyric that I find running in my head this morning after reading this passage and letting it mull about in my feeble mind: "I'm still here, I made it through another day, I'm still here, that's more than some can say, when I feel down I don't shed a tear, I say glory hallelujah, thank You Jesus, Praise the Lord I'm still here."
Thank You Lord, for placing me in a family, adopting me into Your family, and giving me people who care about me and who I can care for. Thank You for helping us all with our struggles, and thank You that by Your grace we're still here!
