“So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.” 2 Corinthians 2.1-4
Grief, distress, hardship, difficulty. This is what Paul is facing. But he’s also experiencing great joy. And he can share it with those to whom he is in ministry. Paul is not only their spiritual father, he is also a brother in Christ.
Although I don’t understand fully the context of Paul’s grief, he does seem to be referring to a person who has caused grief in the church (see the following verses). He is sharing with this community both joy and sadness. It’s the mixture of life. Both good and bad, hardship and blessing. He is sharing this all with his community of believers in Corinth.
This is what we are called to do in community. I am in a small group of brothers, and beyond that have a larger group of men to whom I can share my heart. I can confide in them my struggles, difficulties and my celebrations. A community of Christ followers offers just that. It offers people who know you, love you and will take your burdens to the cross and to Jesus. In this passage, Paul demonstrates this for us as he is sharing deep emotion with the church out of “the depth of” his love for his people.
Do you have a community with whom you can share, grow, develop and deepen your relationship with Jesus? Have you called on the name of the Lord in community? Why not pray for this today. Seek a small group in which you might not only find community but accountability as well. By God’s grace and for his glory he will lead you so that you might be built up in the faith and walk along the path that leads to life eternal.
“O Lord God, Paul’s letter is intimate, vulnerable, real. It is telling that although he is the leader, he is also sharing his heart. He is not beyond being human with this congregation. Thank you for loving us. For giving us community in which to share life together. I praise you Lord for loving me. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen