“Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.”
2 Timothy 4:19-22 NLT
Paul’s last thoughts after all of his theological musings and sharing of the gospel is not more gospel. He knew that the gospel was the means to the end of loving people as God had intended and that this love created a network of disciples. In his final words, his thoughts go out to these brothers and sisters in Christ. His hope is that love is continued to be shown to them. His wish is to see them again soon. His prayer is that the grace that created, empowered and sustains all of them would continue to be their boon. As Paul nears imminent death, he demonstrates a blueprint for how to enter uncertain times. This is the nobility that comes with being a new creature in Christ. Here we see Paul neither fighting or flighting, but instead being peaceful and present despite what is to come. His emphasis on the relationships he has built should be what we take note of. For too many church workers, these relationships seem circumstantial. For Paul, they are eternal and when all the work is done and this life is left to be destroyed, it is these relationships that will fold into the new heaven and new earth. It is best to remember them as we near the end of our ministries as well.
JOSH McGARY. COM 