Receiving God's Favor

Staying at Our Post

2 Cor. 6:1-10

The Message Bible (MSG)

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us,

     I heard your call in the nick of time;
     The day you needed me, I was there to help.

Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped.

Don’t put it off; don’t frustrate God’s work by showing up late, throwing a question mark over everything we’re doing.

Our work as God’s servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . 

     in hard times, tough times, bad times;

     when we’re beaten up, jailed, and mobbed;

     working hard, working late, working without eating;

     with pure heart, clear head, steady hand;

     in gentleness, holiness, and honest love;

     when we’re telling the truth, and when God’s showing his power;

     when we’re doing our best setting things right;

     when we’re praised, and when we’re blamed;

     slandered, and honored;

     true to our word, though distrusted;

     ignored by the world, but recognized by God;

     terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead;

     beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; 

     immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;

     living on handouts, yet enriching many;

     having nothing, having it all.