“Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.” (2 Corinthians 2:12–13, KJV)
There are times when we are just not on our game. What I mean is, there are events in our life that can cause us to lose focus on the task at hand. Those moments can be so impactful that we can think of nothing else. This can especially happen when we do not know the status of someone we care about deeply. I have had plenty of moments like this.
I remember when our children got their driver’s licenses and they ventured out on their own in their cars. I was not too worried. Well, if the truth be told, I guess I was worried. I remember the first day my daughter decided to drive to college on her own. I remember just sitting there with a strange and queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Yes, there was much silent prayer lifted up for her that day.
Then there was the time when one of the kids went off somewhere and did not get home at the expected time. I could not do anything but fret about what was going on. Was everything ok. Was there an accident. You mind really tends to drift in those moments. I was definitely not on my game. One time, my son was going through a crisis. I remember not being able to focus on my ministry until we had some sort of resolution to the problem.
These types of situations can readily hinder us from focusing on the task at hand. Paul in these two verses wrote of a situation that did hinder him in the mission. God had opened a door for him to minister in Troas. However, something happened, or should I say, did not happen. Paul could not find Titus, a close friend and fellow servant, there as he expected. Because of this, he stated that he had no rest in his spirit. He may have thought that Titus had been killed by robbers or had fallen to some other adverse occurrence. Paul was so troubled that he left Troas and went on to Macedonia.
Now, I know that we as believers are to carry on by faith, even when we are troubled. Yet, there is a reality in this. Even the Apostle Paul came to a place of unrest that affected his work and we may also experience these times also. The writer of Hebrews indicated, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, KJV). We can be thankful that the Lord understands our weaknesses and continues to hold us up by His grace as we run through these trying times. He has a plan for us, and when we get through the crisis, He restores our focus that we might again get to work.
This was the case for Paul, and it is for us as well. We know that down the road Paul did get to Troas and went through that door that the Lord held open for him where he ministered the gospel (Acts 20:5-11). If you find yourself out of focus, realize this. There is a time when the crisis will be averted to the point where you will regain your focus. Seek the Lord for renewed focus and then look for the open door of ministry. The Lord will open a door for you. You just need to see where He is at work and join Him there.
Renewing the Heart 