“If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.”
Philippians 2:19-24 NLT
Paul loved Timothy like a son. Paul also loved Philippi. Keeping in the theme of Philippians, we can see that sacrifice should bring great joy. It cannot be understated that Paul’s wish to send Timothy to Philippi would’ve been a great personal sacrifice to him. They lived in an age of no cars, modern mail service or social networking. To send someone away from you meant being cutoff from them, often for a time of years. Yet, Paul expresses joy at sending the best he has to the ones he loves deeply. This is a clear picture of the thoughts of God the Father who sent his son for our sakes. It should be noted that this wasn’t a secret plan to spy on Philippi. Instead it was a plan expressed freely. Paul was free with his thoughts and was hopeful that each person and part in the equation would be helpful and significant to the other. I have met many pastors who would keep their personal lives and friends a distant secret from their congregants, hoping to maintain a private little wall that o keep out the chaos. They would not gladly share the best they have. As we have deep and meaningful relationships that have impacted us, is it our wish to share those with each other? How often to we boldly expect our blessings to be bless others?
JOSH McGARY. COM 