1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

It’s interesting that this verse makes a lot more sense in Japanese than it does in English. There is a standard Japanese expression that simply isn’t part of standard English that fits perfectly here. The English Bibles I have in front of me say “we live,” or “we really live,” but the Japanese expression is “ikigae.” It indicates a reason for living, a zest for life. In just the past few years I’ve run into several English-speaking authors who have “discovered” the expression, and they have been very enthused. I find it very interesting that Greek seems to have the same expression! Regardless of the expression, what Paul says here is something most people have experienced. Hearing that someone we really care about is doing well is refreshing on various levels. It is a testimony to the breadth of Paul’s heart that he cared so much about the people to whom he ministered in so many different places. I’ve recently seen various articles mentioning the practical limits of our emotional engagement, that is to say, how many people we can really care about. It is a testimony to Paul’s apostleship that he obviously cared so much about so many people. However, God cares about each one of us individually! (1 Peter 5:7) The more we are in tune with Him, the more we are able to care, both in intensity and in breadth. The thing is, if we try to do it on our own, we will burn out in no time. We can care rightly and appropriately only under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.

As someone who has tended toward introversion – read, self-centeredness – I have struggled with this issue of caring all my life. In a natural, human response to people and situations, I have tended to retreat into, “What do I care?” That completely left out the factor of God caring for each of us. As I have grown spiritually, I have learned more and more how to care without letting the caring tear me down. I’m not there perfectly yet by any means! There are people about whom I care intensely who are not in good situations, but I am powerless to affect their situations. That’s training in faith, releasing them to God and trusting His ultimate outcome. I certainly understand what Paul says here. I can imagine how energized I would be to get good news of some of those people! I know that in the final analysis, God’s plan is perfect, so I need to pray for that, even without knowing precisely what it will look like, and submit myself to Him for Him to use me in bringing it about, if I can be useful to Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for how You have indeed grown my heart over the years, enabling me to care for and about people with Your love. Mine certainly isn’t up to the task! May I live each day as Your agent, both toward people I am close to physically and those who are far from me, so that Your will may be done on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!