BEAUTIFUL CONNECTION

Philippians 2:19-30 / Keywords 2:20

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.

 

2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 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. 28 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. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

1. Before there was video conferencing, social networking, telephones, and even postal mail, people in the early church found ways to connect, communicate, and care for each other. The Philippians sent Epaphroditus to care for Paul's needs, and Paul was sending Timothy to care for them. Although difficult (Epaphroditus almost died in his efforts to care for Paul), each word and deed were carefully crafted and sent with love.

 

2. Although we are "connected" in so many ways today, many still feel so lonely and alienated. In this age, when it is so easy to send an e-mail or text, we may lose the heart of genuine connection and intimacy that really matter in our lives. It is in our God-given nature to be loved and to belong to God and to each other. Without this, we don't function as we should. We need God's love that reached down to us first—then we can also reach out to others with genuine and sacrificial love. A wide open-hearted love that can embrace others with affection and compassion.

 

Prayer Lord, I am so lonely and feel so distant. I know that you came down to be with me and even give your life for me. Teach me how to love others as you loved me. Help me to show genuine concern for those in need and create meaningful relationships with those around me.

One Word Show genuine concern to others