“I never saw that coming” ever said that? I am sure you have. I said that recently when I discovered that there was a struggle in someone’s life when their exterior suggested all was well.
A Church can be growing numerically and have wonderful services on a Sunday but behind the scenes it isn’t all glory, wonder and praise.
I recall many years ago visiting a couple in the side room of a hospital ward where the wife had just given birth to her baby. The horror was that that the baby had died. There they were with their Pastor trying to work it all out. The tears flowed and I prayed with them many times. I visited their room many times on that occasion. It was easy to do because across the corridor my wife had given birth to our child. My church was small, I was the only Pastor, I had my own personal matters going on, joyful ones, but I also had members of my church going through their own hell. Naturally they were not thinking about my personal matters they had their whole focus on what mattered to them. And so we read this moving into the final section of the letter:-
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3 v 1-2)
Paul has written to them to challenge the deception that was occurring, putting the record straight of what he did say and didn’t say regarding the return of Christ and setting out his eschatology of the end times.
But Paul personally needs prayer. Paul had personal issues himself when he was writing this. It can be translated simply as ‘finally’ but I love this way, ‘as for other matters’. I love it because it shows that even in the Apostle’s life and team they too had needs. It is worth thinking about in every relationship you have. Life is never only about you no matter how difficult it gets.
- As for other matters, I need prayer. You are my brothers and sisters, my family. Myself and my team we are in need. You are persecuted, facing deceiving voices and trials are constant but it isn’t a bed of roses for us either. Will you pray for us? It is actually encouraging sometimes to know that the Pastor and their family are also struggling. One of the lies sold to the Pastor is this: “Oh, you can’t have a good friend inside the church because you can’t really be honest with them.” It really is rubbish. Some of my closest friends were those who worked alongside me in the church. J.C. Ryle said, “Friendship is that gift from God that doubles our joys and halves our sorrows.” As for other matters, pray for me. There are other things that matter perhaps what your friend hasn’t realised. I don’t see some of my close friends now. Maybe once a year but I know I can text them right now and say, ‘By the way, pray for me, I am in need.’
- As for other matters, my work is still going on. I am still carrying vision in my heart. I am still running with desire that people be saved. I want to see evangelisation across huge areas (for Paul it would have been the Roman Empire that was in mind). I am still doing it. The team are still taking the gospel. Pray for us.
- As for other matters, we are really struggling. We have been facing wicked people who are evil. These are obviously specific people though Paul doesn’t mention them. Paul and the team were being hindered. This was their greatest challenge at that moment. I wonder today when you speak to that person if you simply ask them, ‘what is their greatest challenge right now is?’ what would they say. The fact that you asked it would encourage them in that you are taking the time to realise that they have a backstage, they have other matters than the one you are talking to them about.
As for other matters really does matter.
Missions Paul 