“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Philippians 2:19-20 ESV).
Paul wrote this epistle to the believers in Philippi while imprisoned in Rome (See Phil. 1:13-14). The epistle is like a love letter, filled with affection and joy for the members of the church at Philippi. Paul was longing for an update on them, so he sent this letter to let them know that Timothy was coming on his behalf. He wanted them to know that in sending Timothy, he was sending one who was like his own son, who cared for them just as he did.
Have you ever gone on a mission trip to some distant land? I have had the privilege of going on many short term trips and I always leave part of my heart in every place. When the mission team returns home, we give a report to our church, and hopefully our members are inspired. Yet, there is a certain frustration in trying to explain to them the depth of our experience. They see the photos and hear the stories, but they didn’t go with us, so they can’t fully share our “genuine concern” for those we’ve visited. But those who have gone with us, share a special fellowship of love for those believers we have formed a bond with in lands far away.
As I reflect on this, I remember with joy our brothers and sisters in Uganda, Guatemala, Indonesia, Turkey, the Czech Republic and other far away places. These are places where we have gone or sent others. And as a result, we have left pieces of our hearts there.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray for our missionaries, those who have gone out from us to minister in far away places. And we pray for those partners that we have made in these places. For they have become so very dear to us. Now stir our hearts afresh to continue carrying the gospel to the nations. In Jesus’ name, amen.