Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (1 Thess. 2:20)
Sometimes being alone is great. I have some great memories from when I was alone. Going for long drives in my car, hiking through nature, or just relaxing in my dorm. These moments gave me rest and allowed me to reconnect with God. However, being alone is not always great. I need people to learn from, to pray with, and to enjoy life with.
First Thessalonians teaches us the presence of an enemy and the importance of community. Paul wrote with a longing to be united with the church in Thessalonica. He saw them as his glory and joy because they had accepted God’s Word as truth when he presented it to them. Paul also knew they would go through trials and became worried that they would fall away due to Satan’s tricks. In fact, Satan prevented Paul from reaching the Thessalonians. Why? He knew if Paul could get to the church and strengthen them, Satan would not be able to lead them astray.
We were not created to go through life alone. We were created to live in community and in unity. While times of solitude can be worthwhile, we can find glory and joy in the fellowship of believers, through the local and global church. When we bind together as one, we hold each other up with godly encouragement and strength.
Join together with believers to prepare and pray against Satan’s attacks.
Ethan Zent is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He’s studying worship leading and pursuing Wesleyan ordination at Kingswood University.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
