COVID-19 Novel Encouragement Sample

Coronavirus reflection: Every desire for goodness

I keep hearing "reach out" and "stay connected." I'm still here in Beijing, but I feel so far away from my friends. I feel separated from others. Trust me, I really want to reach out, but I'm tired and lack motivation. I can't even focus properly on my studies or work.

Our movement is restricted. We've not met as a church for over six weeks. Many have left China. We don't know how long this will go on for.

We retreat into our cocoons, our safe zones.

But as God's people, what does he want from us in this season of tiredness, fragmentation, and distraction?

Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica and gave thanks "because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing." Would they also boast about us and our "perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring" (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)? Are perseverance, faith, and love happening in our church? If not, why not?

I bet many of us want to be loving. We want to encourage others, but it just doesn't happen. Why not? Normally when I get discouraged it's because I've forgotten something about God or me from the Bible.

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Paul and his friends prayed two things: that God would make those believers worthy of his calling, and that he would make their good plans happen. Let's focus on that second prayer.

You see, the Thessalonians had desires to see good things happen and they did things prompted by faith. They had good intentions, great plans and even took good actions.

But without God's power, those desires and plans won't come to fruition.

So, Paul and his friends pray that "by [God's] power he may bring to fruition" those hopes and plans.

I have desires for goodness, and I have deeds prompted by faith. I bet you do too. Our church leaders do. I believe my brothers and sisters do. But without God's power, those desires and plans won't come to fruition.

That's why Paul and his friends pray! They pray for God to activate their plans to actually bring them to fruition or fulfillment - to produce real results.

Let us do the same! In this season of tiredness and waiting, let's pray that God will catalyze our desires and intentions and plans into real gospel action and real gospel fruit. I pray that God will help my idea of calling a friend turn into a real phone call. I pray that he will make my little courage result in a real conversation with my friend about the gospel. Will you pray that God, by His power, will use online sermons, Bible studies, videos, Wechat messages and Zoom meetings to really encourage us, change us and grow us? As his power produces results and as we become more and more worthy of his calling, the name of the Lord Jesus will be glorified through us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please work through me by your mighty power - even when I feel week and small in myself! You are able and I am willing to be used by you. Amen!

By Luke, BICF-ZGC