Do you have a friend with whom you have lost contact? You've wanted to call or visit, but you haven't been able to, and you can't even find them on Facebook. I have at least 3 people I would love to find. Amy Gingrich was my best friend in Kindergarten., but her family moved away. Susan Nine and I were instant friends on a 4-H trip in high school, but we lived three hours apart and didn't stay in touch. David and Michelle Clark were dear friends of ours in Ft. Worth, and Trent and I wish we could get together to play cards with them again.
Who is someone with whom you would like to reconnect?
In Acts 17, Paul spent 3 or 4 weeks in the city of Thessalonica. Several Jews and Gentiles, both men and women, believed the good news about Jesus that Paul preached to them. They became a faithful group of followers and were an example to the world. (1 Thessalonians 1:5-10) However, some of the city leaders were jealous of Paul and ran him out of town. They even followed him to Berea and caused trouble for him there. Paul was heartbroken that his visit was cut short with these new friends. He tried several times to go back to Thessalonica, but the enemy always stopped him. (1 Thessalonians 2:17, 18)
So, Paul wrote letters to his long lost friends, and Timothy delivered them to Thessalonica. The two letters to this group of believers are filled with encouraging words and reminders of the message of hope Paul had taught them. 1 & 2 Thessalonians are also filled with reminders that Jesus will return to earth to take his followers home to heaven. In fact, every chapter in these two books mentions the Lord's coming. Paul ends both letters with reminders to get along and not be lazy, because the work of God's Kingdom will not be complete until Jesus returns.
I think Paul longed to be reunited with his church family of Thessalonica, whether in this life or the next. That's why he talked of heaven so much. Me too, Paul. Me too.
