1 Thessalonians 2:7-12
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

There are many things that we experience in our walk with Christ that are almost unexplainable. And one such thing is demonstrated by Paul’s words to the Thessalonians here. Look at the depth of feeling he expresses, the phrases he uses, the love he had for the people and how much they meant to him. Even from a distance as he writes this letter to them, he longs for their best.

The bonds that we form with other believers in Christ can become so strong and meaningful to the point that they really do become our family. Paul has this fatherly love of a caretaker, one that nourishes and brings up small children with tenderness, gentleness, and concern. He loved them so much and cared about them and their spiritual state and their growth in the Lord. That is what compelled him to preach the Gospel, to tell these Gentile castaways about Jesus Christ and the freedom they could find in His grace and forgiveness. And he so rejoices to know that they believe on Christ, they are following Him, and they have a part in His kingdom.

This is the product of ministry—not a name, not wealth, not accomplishments, not notoriety, but individual souls saved from wrath, lives spared the chaos of sin and the depths of hell, real people who matter to God and who become dear to us. Those relationships, that shared experience of being born again and serving together, growing together, doing life together, that’s what makes it all worth it. Paul gave his life to serving the Lord, and he gave his heart and soul to the people to whom he ministered because they meant that much to him. Most of us aren’t preachers, evangelists, or missionaries like Paul was, but we also reap these benefits and build these bonds as part of our local church as we invest ourselves in the work God has called us to do.