my crown of glory

1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5

Paul is concerned that the the church in Thessalonica may have drifted from their faith due to the intense persecution that they were suffering. The events that Paul is talking about occurred while he was in Athens - shortly after he left Thessalonica. Satan plays a prominent role in this passage: blocking Paul's team from returning to Thessalonica and tempting the Thessalonians to abandon their faith. Paul also uses some family language again (previously saying he was like a child among them, a mother who cares for them, a father who is concerned for them, their brothers and sisters and now he is orphaned from them).
Paul is basically just recounting the history of the church at this point. He reminds them of the persecution that they suffered (persecution that Paul forewarned them about and came just as he said it would), of his deep concern for them and his efforts to reach them that were thwarted which eventually compelled him to send Timothy to check on what was happening and to bring a report (which is in the next section of this letter).
Paul says that the church in Thessalonica will be his joy and his crown in which he glories. This is a great reminder for me: I am very task oriented. I really enjoy people and thrive on relationships but I default to task - as long as there is something that needs to be done, it has most of my attention. My crown will not be how many tasks that I accomplished but how I have invested myself into people and how I have impacted their lives for the kingdom of heaven. In my role, this means that I have to invest myself in people who will then invest in others. It also means that I need to create the environment conducive to my leaders investing into others but I can't forget that it is all so people can connect with and experience Christ.
Paul also brings up the idea of destiny but this time it is that we are destined for trials. I have not really experienced much in the way of trials or persecution because of my faith in Jesus. I have a good job with decent pay and a house and two cars - even if one of them is a Ford (grin! I am actually very grateful for my Ford - thanks!!). I have not been threatened with jail or torture or death. My family is safe and I don't need to worry about mobs attacking them while I am away because we follow Jesus. I don't think that I should go out looking for trials - I think my focus is supposed to be staying faithful to what God has called me to do. But Paul's words make me wonder... When so many of my brothers and sisters around the world live under the threat of persecution, why have I escaped?