the rescue

Reading today in the Message

2 Cor. 1:4
He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

2 Cor.6:4-11
Don't frustrate God's work by showing up late.... 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 at 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, thought 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.