My goal: that ‘other things’ won’t distract me from the main thing
By Dean Collins
No one likes a complainer. How many meetings or conversations have you endured while the energy was drained out of the room by someone going on and on about their difficult situation? I am not talking about the very important work of listening to those who share their struggles or problems. We all need to receive and offer both emotional and spiritual support. It’s a part of participating in the body of Christ. But some people just complain for the sake of complaining.
Paul’s ‘other things’
In chapter 11 of 2 Corinthians Paul was very transparent about his weaknesses, in a way not offensive but based in humility. He was was clear about the intensity of his suffering as a Christian leader. Just some of what he had experienced: countless beatings, five times receiving 39 lashes from the Jews, three times beat with rods. And that was just the beginning!
What stopped me in my tracks today was Paul’s next line after detailing what he had suffered because of his faith. “And apart from other things,” he said, “there is daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.”
Other things? All of the stress, all of the beatings, all of the travel dangers and public attacks, the many sleepless nights, the hunger, and the thirst—Paul categorized all that as the other things. What we might think of as nearly impossible obstacles and circumstances Paul called the other things that simply came with the job. His consuming concern was the health and vitality of his mission. His desire was for the world to know Jesus and for the body of Christ to be unified, healthy, and reflecting the glory of God as she moved with love and grace everywhere and always.
Your ‘other things’
Whatever God has called you to do—plumber or pediatrician, banker or barista, athlete or accountant—you will face “other things.” Hopefully, your list of “others” will be less severe than Paul’s, but it will exist and it will at times create significant challenges as you carry out your responsibilities. But as believers, our primary concern must be about sharing Jesus and doing our part to participate as healthy members of the body of Christ. It is in and through the body of Christ, the church, that God does his great work of transforming people’s lives. Jesus has no projects that call for isolation. His work creates community. He died that we might become one with him, one with each other, and as one body do his work until he returns.
I have them, too!
As a college president, I have a pretty long list of challenges. And every year something pops up that is difficult, unique, and often agonizing to resolve. But my primary concern is that these problems will not overshadow the most important work we do in caring for students. For us that care is delivered through the body of Christ assembled as our faculty, staff, coaches, and administrators who are committed to following Jesus together and serving students with the love of Christ.
On a tough day, it is easy to slip into becoming the one who complains about how hard work or life is on a particular day or in a particular season. What I pray never happens is that we allow the enemy to discourage or distract us from our primary mission of introducing others to the one who can transform their lives and invite them into a community of faith where God will use them to bring life to others.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 11:23-33 ESV
Photo by Christopher Burns at pexels.com
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