Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need … Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.
(Philippians 2:25-30, NKJV)
I’m taking a bit of license with today’s devotional, but I feel led to write …
God has called some men and women to be His spokespeople. People like Billy Graham or Beth Moore have been placed on platforms throughout the world to proclaim God’s truth. The pastors of our churches likewise have a great responsibility to spread the gospel.
Yet sometimes, rather than “holding them in esteem,” we criticize. We judge. We disparage. Or at the very least, we take them for granted. This isn’t to say we should look at them as if they were Christian “pop stars.” They’re being used of God as He sees fit, but our roles in the body of Christ are no less important.
However, I wonder sometimes if we “receive with all gladness” those who are God’s messengers. Do we offer words of encouragement to our pastors and church leaders? Do we thank our small group or Bible study leaders for the preparation they do for our studies? Do we show gratitude to our children’s Sunday School teachers?
While we’re all called to serve—and gifted to do so—some of our body are in positions of leadership or are more visible than others. Let’s esteem those brothers and sisters. Let’s encourage them. Let’s thank them for their service.
2 comments:
The burn out rate of Christian leaders, especially pastors, is incredibly high. Often, I believe, because they often hear critique but seldom encouragement. I think most people think that leaders know when they've done well, they only need to be told when they have missed a mark (at least in our eyes). Yet, these leaders have feelings, insecurities, fear in sharing hard truth, fear of rejection. A steady diet of critique is more than many can bear.
"Do not withhold good to those who deserve it when it is in your power to act." Prov.3:27. Such words of wisdom. Your reminder to encourage our leaders is so timely.
Amen, sister.
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