For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (1 Thess 2:19-20)
Paul’s hope, joy, crown, and glory all centered on the Thessalonian believers. Whoa. It is an amazing thought. Paul is saying that when he stands before the Lord at the end of his life and at the end of time, his greatest joy and glory will be in the people standing next to him, the people that he helped lead to Christ and to disciple. They are his hope–the thing that keeps him moving forward. They are his joy–the thing that thrills his heart. They are his crown–the greatest reward he can receive. And they are his glory–the thing that will make his life worthwhile.
What does this teach me?
1. People have eternal value. We never meet a person who is not created in the image of God, who is not precious in God’s eyes, who is not being convicted and drawn by the Spirit of God. Sometimes I wonder. People are a strange lot. As I “people watch” at the park or in the mall, I see a wide of variety of people. It is easy to focus on their appearance or their attitude or their actions and forget that underneath the skin is a heart looking to fill a void and a soul that will last forever. They may not know it or ever acknowledge it but they have infinite value in the eyes of God. Thus they should have value in mine. I think of the eyes of Jesus that always saw people differently than the disciples. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). In the mulitudes, the disciples saw more work and more problems to deal with. Jesus saw people needing a shepherd. Too often I have the eyes of the disciples and not the eyes of my Savior.
2. People are our source of joy and glory in the presence of Christ. I can’t help but think of the old Ray Boltz’ song, “Thank You.” It is a powerful song and a powerful reminder that our joy in heaven will be proportionate to the number of people there who were impacted by us. I have had Mark 9:41 on my mind, For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Giving out cups of water to others will be the source of our reward. It is not the great things we do or the great projects we accomplish that will be our joy and glory. It is the small things we do to minister to others with the love of Jesus Christ.
3. My focus in life must be on people. People can frustrate you, encourage you, drain you, enrich you, annoy you, thrill you, offend you, and bless you. There is usually not a dull moment when you work and interact with people! But despite the challenges, people must be my focus. I cannot isolate myself or withdraw or put on masks or engross myself in solitary tasks. I have to risk and reach out to people. It is a risk but in the end it is also my reward.
Lord, enlarge my vision, enlarge my heart so that I can see people as You see them and I can reach out in small ways to encourage, refresh, and bless those I come in contact with today.