Relationships

DEVOTION

2 CORINTHIANS

RELATIONSHIPS

2 Cor 7:5-7

5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn — conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

NIV

When we arrive somewhere do we bring people comfort? Do people long for our presence? Do they have an ardent concern for us? Then on the other hand, do others bring comfort to us when they show up? Do we long for their being with us? Do we have an ardent concern for them? Then there are the questions about if we live with outer conflicts and inner fears, not to mention about our bodies having no rest. It seems we live in an era in which we spend so much time and money pampering our bodies way more than we spend on the growth and health of our spirits or in using them to serve then Lord. So what if we wear out this body serving God, what good is it when we arrive at the gates of heaven? But let us consider this relationship thing about longing, comforting and ardent concern. It would seem there is more than spending time with people who are in our own backyard. Surely we have relationships of sorts with others who live in distant places, or at least we know people who live in faraway locations. How much time do we spend being concerned for them? Do we visit? And if so do we bring them comfort? Maybe it costs too much to see them, or comfort them. Maybe it costs too much of our time, time we could be spending pampering ourselves. But then again on the other hand, do they spend any effort trying to visit and comfort us? It would appear God is in control of bringing either us to them, or them to us so that he might bring comfort. We only need to be sensitive to the Spirit and go when we must, no matter the personal cost. We should also know that when we are in such a state, which we are feeling sorry for ourselves, when we are downcast, that God will bring us comfort. He will direct someone to come to us, to assist us, to assure us, and lift us up. This life is about relationships, serving each other, being there when others have a need. This surely has to be the point of these words here; otherwise they are nothing more than a personal note from Paul to the Corinthians and have no reason to be included. So we must take away the fact that life is more them about us, it is about relationships.