Verse: Philippians 2:19-24
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 takes a genuine interest in your welfare.  21 For everyone looks out for his 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.  

Devotion
Here we have Paul writing a letter, while in house arrest in Rome, to the Christians in Phillipi, a church he started.  Timothy is there with him to support him during this time.  He has traveled with Paul, starting when he was a young man around 20 years old and now was in his mid-thirties.  Paul was 10-15 years older than him.  

It’s such a good thing to have friends in the Lord.  Do you have someone you could turn to during a rough patch of life that can support you through it?  Possibly a younger person who you are sowing wisdom into from your walk with the Lord.  This is what Timothy was to Paul.  Timothy was willing to walk alongside Paul and go where he goes and take on responsibilities when Paul was detained or needed to leave.  

Or maybe you are a younger person and have a Christian mentor in your life that you are learning from.  Someone that you look up to and has helped you grow.  This person has invested in you and sees the good in you just like Paul sees how Timothy isn’t just interested in himself but in those that Jesus cares about.  

Relationships like these are not easily created.  Paul and Timothy faced days of travel together, multiple times of service and preaching together, and even hardship together.  These relationships require time and intentionality.  They are so important for our spiritual growth.  I could easily list off 8-10 people, some older in the faith and some younger, that have helped me over the years with their wisdom and their example.  

If you don’t have someone (or more than one) in your life that you are receiving guidance from and that you are giving guidance to, I would encourage you to look around at those currently in your life.  God may be calling you to invest in them and to draw closer to them.  Get together and have coffee and just share what the Lord is doing with you.  You will be surprised at how God can use this to bless them and to bless you.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, open our eyes and help us see those around us that need a touch from you.  Help us to find deep friends that will foster our mutual spiritual growth.  Encourage us to make this a priority in our lives.

Author: Brad Dunn