Every Encounter a Blessing

1:15-16 "In this confidence I intended at first to come to you, so that you might twice receive a blessing; that is, to pass your way into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and by you to be helped on my journey to Judea."

Paul begins to defend his changes in itinerary, which have been criticized by some in Corinth as a sign of a vacillating mind. He describes his original plan to visit Corinth twice before leaving for Judea, being confident of their positive attitude toward him.

But the reason Paul gives for originally wanting to visit Corinth twice is instructive: "so that you might twice receive a blessing."

Paul was not on a vacation. He was traveling in the name of Christ in order to bless others with His truth and love. He was taking advantage of every opportunity to build up others in Christ. He made his plans not based on what he felt like doing but on what he believed was best for the Kingdom.

And this wasn’t just true of Paul toward the Corinthians. He says the same sort of thing to the Roman believers:

"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine." (Rom.1:11-12)

"I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ." (Rom.15:29)

And God tells US to follow Paul’s example. Every encounter God gives us with others should be viewed as an opportunity to be a blessing for the sake of Christ. Our family members, our fellow workers, the bank teller, the grocery clerk, the waitress at our table, the janitor, the car mechanic. They all need Jesus Christ. And our encounters with them are never accidental. God has placed us where we are that we might radiate like the Son.

Father, I am so selfish! So often I am wrapped up in my own concerns and I give no thought to being a blessing to others. How unlike Your Son I am, who, though He was Lord of all, came to be a servant and to give His life as a ransom for us. Forgive me for all the lost opportunities to bless others in Christ. Please teach me to read every encounter as an opportunity to speak of and show the love of my Lord Jesus.