Lesson Two • Gather
Devotion #6: The Fresh Connection
David Hudgens
“I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.” Philippians 2:25-30
Recently, I had the privilege of serving in the wedding of a young man whom I knew from a former church family that I was a part of years ago. Several months before the wedding, I was contacted by the soon-to-be happy couple with a request to lead a time of praise and worship during the ceremony. I was truly honored by their inquiry, but also a little bit surprised due to now being several years removed from the regular fellowship from these believers and that season of life. Nonetheless, the couple expressed their desire for me to accept their invitation to which I was happy to oblige.
As the summer months passed, giving way to their September nuptials, I began to reconnect with the people of God I had grown to love and walk with from my past. Throughout the day of the wedding, I was reminded anew of how uniquely wonderful it is to be a part of the body of Christ. It was so encouraging to enjoy a fresh connection with individuals that I had walked with in times of struggle, enduring some of life’s most difficult moments to eventually witness God’s awesome power to overcome and sustain. The day proved Proverbs 17:17 true, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Likewise, so it is also with Paul as he expresses similarly his love and gratitude for the relationships he has among the church in Philippi. Even though the beginning of this church was born in difficulty (Paul’s preaching was opposed and Paul was imprisoned), a group of believers was able to be established before Paul was asked to leave the region (Acts 16:35-40). Moreover, an enduring bond was formed between both parties in Christ. Despite, most likely, only ever once visiting the church (Acts 20:1-6; 1 Timothy 1:3), Paul and the people of Philippi shared a deep and meaningful connection in the Spirit of God.
This truth remains even now, thousands of years later. For anyone who is a part of the body knows personally that it is Jesus that bonds us together with Him and the Father through the fellowship of the Spirit. Furthermore, this bond transcends geography, education, social position, economics, and race. This bond endures time, trouble, and even offense. How truly wonderful it is to walk in Christ and with others who love and serve Him!