For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. 2 Cor. 7:5–6
Loving Father, this brief vignette from Paul’s life comes to me today like a well-timed kiss from heaven; like a call from the right friend when you least expected it, but most needed it; like the first sign of daylight after a starless night; like a big trout at the end of a fish-less day.
First of all, Father, I praise you for chronicling Paul’s experience of being restless, fearful, and downcast. Many times I suffer from “should-ness”: if I really loved you, if I were more full of the Holy Spirit, if I truly got the gospel, I “should” never feel downcast. I should only feel upbeat, on top of my game, and happy.
It’s comforting to know the gospel doesn’t make us less human but more yours. Thank you for being a Father who doesn’t shame the downcast; you don’t chide the overwhelmed; you don’t grow weary with the weary. You pursue us, you provide for us, you comfort us—you comfort me.
As I begin this day, I feel like I’m swimming in a pool of baby piranha—no big sharks like Paul was dealing with… well, make a couple, but mostly small piranha nibbling at my spirit and my dwindling resources. I’m surrounded by a lot of little decisions, a lot of little needs, a lot of small conflicts, a lot of little unfinished projects, a lot of little things over which I have absolutely no control, and the combination of these things is weighing me down.
I’ll not fight the piranha; I’ll just look for you. I won’t pull my best-effort belt over one more notch, nor suck it up and perform. I gladly collapse on Jesus right now. Indeed, Father, it’s so good to know you’re running toward us in the gospel right now, not with a furrowed brow, but with a compassionate and merciful heart. And as you comfort me, I’ll seek to be a Titus for others. What a privilege it is to comfort others with the very comfort you bring to us in all our troubles (2 Cor. 1:3–4). O the privilege of being weak with the weak. We pray in Jesus’ name with great anticipation and freedom from our striving. Amen.
