By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
Na konei, i te mea kei a matou tenei mahi minita, i te mea ka tohungia nei matou, kahore matou e ngakaukore;
O le mea lea, matou te lē fa‘avaivai i lenei fe‘au, fa‘apei ‘ona tu‘uina mai ‘iā te i matou i le alofa tunoa o le Atua,
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:1
“We do not lose heart”. Paul begins and ends 2 Corinthians 4 with this statement. It’s a remarkable statement, especially because he and his team had every reason to lose heart.
Paul faced satanic opposition and personal rejection (4:3-4). He described himself as a fragile jar of clay (4:7). He and his team were hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted and repeatedly struck down (4:8-9). Death was a daily reality (4:10-11). Their bodies were wasting away due to age and strain (4:16).
In 2025, we too may be tempted to lose heart. You may see your weaknesses as overwhelming, the pressure of ministry too great, and the challenges you face too draining.
Where does Paul’s confidence, endurance, and hope come from? How can he say, “We do not lose heart”? It comes from what God has done, is doing, and will do.
God’s good news about the death and resurrection of Jesus is at work in Paul’s life and ministry. He says that as he moves closer and closer towards death, the life of Jesus is being shown more and more.
Paul sees that God's gospel is at work.
I don’t know if you are in good heart or well on the way to losing heart, but what I do know is this: if you are reading this, God in his grace has enabled you to receive his message of grace.
In his mercy, he has given you a ministry among your church family. Sharing in the trials and sufferings of Christ—even in small ways—can become a wellspring of life and hope.
By God’s grace, at every age and at any stage he can work in us and through us. Each day, God is reaching more and more people. Because of all this, “We do not lose heart”.
