Honoring Those Who Serve

Scripture – Philippians 2:25-30: But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Observation – Missionaries are people I easily and often take for granted. I skim reports they write. I may give a quick “Thank you, Lord,” for them. But I seldom take time to appreciate what they do and who they are. They have given up much of what we call “normal life.” They are doing work and serving in places I cannot imagine. And the fact is, I often thank God I have not been called to that kind of service. At the same time, I must be careful that I’m not telling God “No!” before He even calls. In theory, we’re all open to whatever the Lord wants from us. Epaphroditus left his home in Philippi, on behalf of the church, to visit and help Paul. “He almost died for the work of Christ…” And so, we are to honor people like him.

Application – I will read the newsletters of two missionaries today. I will pray for them – including their requests. Next week, I will write them.

Prayer – Thank you, Lord, for those who serve you on our behalf in foreign countries. Please keep me open to your call, as well. For I am committed to going where you call me to go. Give me a discerning and willing spirit as I look to you this day.