Abundant Love

My friend and former pastor, Jon Dunwell, wrote the post I have attatched below on his blog a little over a week ago. I have been meaning to share this and forgot. It wasn't until today, when in my study time that I found myself needing to go back read it again. This time I had to post it! I hope it speaks to you as much as it did to me.

Challenging Another is a Challenging to Me

by: Jon Dunwell

Morning Reading - 2 Corinthians 2:23-2:17

2:1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. (2 Cor 2:1-4)

Paul loved the dysfunctional church of Corinth. Their condition caused his heart significant pain. He was not deterred by their harsh and critical words. He continued to pursue them in spite of their personal attacks.

Instead...
He loved them.
He endured with them.
He pursued them.
He engaged them.
He ached for them.

Not an easy thing to do. Not an easy thing to live. I think of how often I give up on people.

They make choices I do not agree with and so I move on.
They attack me personally and so I dismiss them.
They take advantage of me and so I insulate myself from them.

I'm done!
I'm over it!
I'm through!

I move on.

That's not Paul. That's me.

Paul goes back for seconds.
Paul goes another round.
Paul continues.
Paul makes himself vulnerable.

For me it's often about me. That's probably why I don't always get Paul. There were other considerations for him beyond his feelings, his rights, and his comfort. I stay pretty close to home.

I focus on my feelings.
I rehearse my rights.
I look for my advantage.

Not Paul...

He loved the people.
Therefore, he continued to share his life with them.
Therefore, he continued to be a target.
And therefore, he continued to hurt.

And so as I consider Paul and the pain of the church of Corinth, I grab these operating principles for the pains of my life.

To properly challenge another, I must love them. I am not in a position to challenge another if that is in question. If I open my mouth, I must be willing to open my life. When things get painful, I must refrain from blowing the trumpet of retreat. Endurance and perseverance must be anticipated. I never have the right to choose the short game but must always be in it for the long game.

In properly challenging another, it cannot be about me. I cannot bring my offense to the table. I can only bring my love. I should anticipate an element of personal pain. And in the midst of it, I cannot afford to make it about me, my pain, or my rights.

In properly challenging another, I need to be careful! Who am I? I need to recognize my own blind spots. I cannot afford the pride of being right to get in the way. I need to readily admit I do not see all, recognize all, or understand all. I am limited.

In properly challenging another, I need to make my goal the starting of a discussion with God. It's not about conformance to my ideas. It's not about me being right. It's about encouraging another to engage God with an open mind and heart. The primary conversation that needs to take place is not between me and them but rather between them and God. I need to be careful about interposing myself into God's seat at the table. I am not God and should not presume (or allow others to presume) I am.

I need to love.
I need to endure.
I need to engage
I need to pursue.
I need to be vulnerable.

Thanks Paul for setting the example.
Thank you God for providing the resources for grace, the long game, and not everything going the way I think it should go.