True Colors

Reading: 2 Corinthians; Psalm 22

1 Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy, though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. 2 I was there and saw it for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could—far more than they could afford!—  (2 Corinthians 8:2–3 MSG)

Paul refers to the churches in the province of Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) and explains to the Corinthians about the severe hardships – both physical persecution and economic challenges – these churches had been experiencing. 

Amazingly, out of their personal and corporate hardship, God’s grace exploded in an outpouring of generosity towards the suffering Christ-followers in Jerusalem! Instead of their own hardships causing them to wallow in self-pity, their sufferings produced compassion and concern for others who were experiencing similar trouble! (see GraceNotes 07-01-22 “The Same Comfort”).

In good times, our personality shows through. Hard times display our character! 

Testing, pressure, hard situations will inevitably display my true colors. I purpose to live from character and not merely from personality so that when pressure exposes my true colors, they will be Jesus’ colors.

Prayer:

Father, Please help my friends and me to live from the heart and not from personality, self-interest, and emotions. I know testing times come to us all, and when the pressure exposes our true colors, may they be the colors of love, maturity, and wisdom. Amen.