I do not want you to be unaware

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.” Romans 1:13

“I do not want you to be unaware” – What an outpouring of love is contained in these words. Did Paul write them to edify himself? Surely not. They convey such a sense of concern for the readers. Paul wants them to known his concern for them, that they would not feel neglected or overlooked. Circumstances had prevented Paul from visiting the church in Rome, but they were on Paul’s mind, in his heart, in his prayers and in his letter. He had not ceased to intercede to God on their behalf.

Are we aware of the love of God, of the great gift that He gave us through His Son Jesus? Are we aware of the gift of His word, the Bible and the presence of His Holy Spirit in our lives? Do we, as the old refrain goes, count our blessings?

My husband and I frequently acknowledge what makes our marriage worthwhile and strong- the bonds of love and sharing that we enjoy. We don’t want to be unaware of the happiness we have. There can be terrible regret associated with loss if one reaches a point of knowing they never appreciated what they had.

Similarly, each of us is offered an eternity-long relationship with our Creator, the most valuable and life-enhancing one we can ever hope to enjoy. Do we live with happiness and contentment for what we have?

Are we aware of the huge responsibility borne by our pastors and teachers who operate in our churches as they seek to care for their flock? They pray for us and minister to us. Do we pray for them and support them?

Finally, there are those that we see as our area of ministry, the people who may or may not be aware of our thoughts, prayers, efforts and activities on their behalf. They can be as close as our own children or as far away as someone experiencing persecution in the middle east or someone being prayed for in the Russian republics, or a sponsored child in a Christian sponsorship program. They can be our unsaved workmates or extended family members. They may be unaware of our prayers but we do not want them to be unaware of God’s love for them and pray that they will come to know Him and know what it means to experience a personal relationship with Him through Jesus.