Busy in the Family Business

In 1 Thess 2:1-4 (posted on the right) Paul seems kinda defensive. It sounds like he already knows the suggestions critics are making against him--he's heard it before.
We've been there before. Maybe You stepped into service and it didn't go the way you expected. Maybe you gave your best but someone assumed the worst. Your not sure you could jump in again, you wonder why you would.
Paul's musings suggest answers to four common questions that relate to our service in Christ's body, the church:

1. Does what I do make any difference? (2:1)
2. Is it worth the trouble? (2:2)
3. What will people think? (2:3)
4. Will God really use me? (2:4)

I'm glad that Paul seems to have wrestled with these questions, and that he anticipates others will too. What help or encouragement is there for us in these four verses, for serving in God's family business?