Re:Verse passage –Colossians 4:7-18 (day four)
Tychicus was a trusted friend. Paul was sending him to the church at Colossae to deliver the letter and to share with the church about Paul’s circumstances. Now, if it were me sharing the circumstances (hardships, chains, imprisonment), there would be an element of dismay or ‘poor me’ syndrome. I would want my fellow believers to be praying for delivery from my miserable conditions.
Verse 8 says, “For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that he may encourage your hearts;” Encourage?…Paul’s perspective was much different than mine would have been. He did not want to include them in his misery, he wanted to encourage them. {Barnabas, who is mentioned later, in verse 10, was the ‘Son of Encouragement’} Paul begs the question, “Do we encourage others?” Do we want to drag people down or build people up? Are people blessed by our words or do we add to their burden? Strive to be the source of encouragement in someone’s life today!
