Pouring out our lives

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. – 1 Thessalonians 2.8

Paul’s concern moved beyond the compassion he spoke of. He saw their responsibility to do more than just preach the gospel (though the word ‘just’ hardly seems right when it comes to sharing the gospel).

Paul speaks of how his team was well pleased to impart their very lives.

What does it mean to impart our lives?

Paul knew what it meant. When he gave his farewell address to the elders of the Ephesian church he spoke with great feeling about his ministry among them. He says that they he had poured out his life for them.

When we minister to people it is not just a matter of pouring out facts and knowledge. It is not just a matter of discipling through a bunch of lessons. It is not just teaching Bible facts and doctrines. All that is involved and all that is good – but it is much, much deeper than that.

Our ministry means that we are willing to impart our very lives to those whom God allows us to work with. It means that we sacrifice ourselves for others. It means that we our lives are not shut off from people, but that we open our hearts and minds and emotions and spirits and our weaknesses and frailties for others to see.

It is a scary thought to open our hearts and pour our lives into another.

But then I think of what Jesus poured out for me – and suddenly it doesn’t seem like such a big deal in comparison.