Creating a Culture of Care

"What's God doing in your life?"

"What did you read in your Bible today?"

"How is your struggle with temptation going?"

"How have you been showing love to your wife this week?"

"How can I pray for you?"

Why are those questions so hard for followers of Christ to ask each other?

Is it because we don't really care about the others?

Or is it because God is not working in our lives and we don't want anyone to find out?

Paul communicated with the church in Corinth that he was discouraged in ministry. He doesn't give details, but his time in Macedonia was troubling. "...our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn - fighting without and fear within" (2 Cor 7:5).

"But God..." - two great words in the Bible.

"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more" (v 6-7).

Titus, Paul's pupil, companion, fellow-laborer and friend came along to comfort his mentor. His presence was a comfort and also his news about God's work in the church in Corinth.

Each of us yearns for someone to be a Titus to us. When we're down, we wish someone would come alongside to comfort.

But are we being a Titus to others?

Rather than wishing for someone to ask us about what God is doing in our lives, we should be starting those conversations.

Rather than getting discouraged because no one seems to care, we should be cultivating a culture of care by expressing concern for others.

Like so many other areas, it's easier to point the finger at what others are doing wrong. But we need to be the ones initiating change.