By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
I nga whiunga, i nga hereheretanga, i nga ngangaretanga, i nga mauiuitanga, i nga mataaratanga, i nga nohoanga pukutanga; I runga i te kinokore, i te matauranga, i te manawanui, i te ngakau ngawari, i te Wairua Tapu, i te aroha tinihangakore.
Auā e moni lava ‘ina ‘ua matou ō mai i Maketonia, sa leai se mapu i o matou tino; ‘ae sa puapuagātia i matou i mea uma; o tau‘a i fafo a o le fefe i totonu. 6Peita‘i o le Atua, o lē e fa‘amafanafanaina ē ‘ua fa‘amaulaloina, na fa‘amafanafana o ia ‘iā te i matou i le o‘o mai o Tito;
For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.
2 Corinthians 7:5–6
“Conflicts on the outside and fears within.”
In 2 Corinthians 7:5-7, Paul is picking back up the threads of his story he had left dangling in chapter two verse 12. He continues to write about his movements while he was away from the Corinthians.
The apostle Paul doesn’t gloss over the reality of ministry in Macedonia. He recognises and names what’s going on around him.
It’s likely from the next chapter that extreme poverty in the region has led to conflict, tension, and pressure for Paul and his team.
In the same way, in our post-Covid day, there seems to be more conflict, tension, and pressure among elderships and in churches. Challenges of a changing society, the national economic outlook, and theological and directional challenges can all contribute to this pressure.
For elders and ministry leaders, these external conflicts and tensions can lead to a myriad of internal fears. At minimum, they lead to doubts. Conflict is always draining. But its worst, it can lead to anxiety and depression and become debilitating.
I’m deeply struck by verse six. But God. The God who “comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” Conflict is real; fear is real. But the God who comforts the downcast brought real comfort through Titus.
It is likely that we’ve each known a time of conflict, tension, and pressure in ministry. We’ve known our own fears very well.
Those living in the conflict and amidst the fears, know that God is a God who comforts the downcast. Cry out to him for a Titus to encourage you.
Those who are aware of leaders in challenging seasons, ask the Lord how he might use you be a comfort to them.
*This devotion was sparked by a devotion on four verses, including this one, by Dr. Murray Harris that he shared with the CCCNZ Regional Enablers and Support Team this week in Cambridge (see story below).
