A Landing Worth Waiting For

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As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. ¹⁴ If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.¹⁵ Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. ¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

– 2 Thessalonians 3:13-17 [ESV]

Launch! | South Padre Island, TX | September 2022

A friend of mine was described to me: “He never lands!” I had never heard that description before, but I immediately knew what he meant. My friend could talk and talk, and talk, and talk and make three clarifications, offer four exceptions, and two alternative possibilities. I knew what he was wanting to say. I just wished he would spit it out. Let it stand. Claim it for what it is.

I have another friend who has more words than necessary. If you’re reading this and thinking I’m referring to you…well probably not. This particular friend seems to be unaware of the excess of words offered in any given situation. Alright, already! I get it. Message received.

Then there’s Paul. The man of multi-phrase, many-word, run-on sentences. Check out Ephesians 1 for example. A literal translation can go on for line after line before the sentence is ended. The difference between Paul and my friends is that Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And he has something to say.

Paul begins this final chapter of his letter with the word, “Finally.” He seems to wind up his thoughts in verse 5, but goes on for 12 verses after that. And to top it off, he ends the letter, then adds his own hand-written closing. But listen to what he has to say: “do not grow weary in doing good.” Then, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Paul may have taken a while to land, but when he did, he does land, he sticks the landing. Wishing God’s peace, and the Lord’s presence for the people there is a fitting ending to this incredible letter.

I’m not noted for having too many words…most of the time. And I am most often able to land. But I’m delighted to emulate Paul in this: May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. That’s a landing worth waiting for!