Philippians 2:19-30

Philippians 2:19-30 NIV
 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.

What a wonderful testimony of Timothy's life.  He had a genuine concern for the welfare of others, he had Christ's interest at heart, he served Paul as a son would his father and his actions were known by others.  This causes me to pause for self evaluation.  Where is my heart?  How do I serve?  How do people view me?  I don't mean live my life in fear of other's opinions, but do they know that I serve God by the way that I live.


 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.

Another testimony of another worker in Christ.  This one almost died.  I find it comforting that Epaphroditus was more concerned about the people that found out he was ill.  I also find it comforting that even Paul had anxiety.  Yes, we are told not to worry (Matthew 6:27-34) and in just two chapters Paul will speak of anxiety (Philippians 4:6).  Where I find my comfort that these were flawed human men who just trusted in God. 

For so long I allowed my flaws to hold me back from serving Christ with all my heart because I did not want to be called a hypocrite.  I've learned in the last 18 months that perfection will not come till I am with Christ in heaven.  As long as I am here on Earth the temptation to sin will always be with me.  I need to bring those weaknesses to Him and serve Him anyway.

God Bless.