Together

Have you ever gone on a mission trip or a retreat with people other than your family? What happens with those relationships? There is something about shared experiences that are out of the ordinary that unite people together in unusual yet wonderful ways.

Back in October, Covenant Fellowship (the small body of believers that I’m a part of), had a women’s retreat. Our purposes for retreating were simple and logical – to get away from the routine of our lives in order to have some focused time with God and to build relationships with one another. The retreat wasn’t even 24 hours, yet somehow within that limited timeframe, those goals were accomplished. Believe it or not, there were people attending that I really didn’t know, people whom I knew slightly, and people whom I would consider dear friends. I walked away from that experience, as did many if not all of us, closer with these sisters in the Lord. One woman in particular moved all the way from the “I don’t know you” category to the “I think you’re going to be a dear friend” category. And yes, she is a dear friend today.

Paul didn’t have to spend a chunk of time in Philippi for them to become so beloved by him. In Philippians 1:7-8, Paul continues expressing his deep affection for these dear friends who were brothers and sisters in Christ. Why did he feel this way about them? Similar to us going on a retreat or missions trip together, Paul shared something in common with these people, something about which he was passionate – Jesus Christ and the glorious privilege of telling others about Him. Whether they were together or apart, they and he continued in this good work. And whether blessings or hardship followed this effort, they were united. Paul, being imprisoned, had needs in which the Philippians provided. Not only did they send monetary help to him, but they also sent encouragement by the way of Epaphroditus, one of Paul’s associates who had obviously established himself with the Philippians.

I think we are starting to uncover more of who Paul was. He seemed very passionate about Jesus his Lord and the work for the cause of his Lord. He devoted his life, even if it meant the loss of it, to the One who miraculously transformed him. As Paul continued to convey his affection for the Philippians to the Philippians, he called God into the picture as his witness. Perhaps the repetition of what he’s expressing to them was rendered unbelievable. I can just see some of the skeptics in the back of the room listening to this letter and rolling their eyes, muttering under their breath, “Yeah, right, Paul!” Perhaps. But truly, I think Paul just wanted them to know it, and making an oath could conceivably assist in expressing the seriousness of it.

Do you feel a partnership in the gospel with the believers in your life? One of the acute struggles of living in this age is our busyness and attentiveness to our own matters because of our busyness. I confess that I don’t think enough about furthering the gospel in my spheres of influence. I need to spend time praying for a unity with other brothers and sisters (not just in my church but outside of church) – that we would be united in loving others for Jesus’ sake. How about you? Care to join me in that prayer?

Weekend scripture reading: Philippians 1:9-11
Questions to think about over the weekend:

• Forthcoming … it has been a long day. :-)

Grace and peace.