Daily, we have our own burdens, hardships, maybe sickness,
difficult even failure relationships, while at the same time demanding jobs to
earn something and with the pandemic everything seems even harder than
before. We need encouragement, support, getting refreshed even some rest.
We come to church whether offline or online to listen to the
sermon. We want to hear God’s Word through His servants, the pastors or the
priests. We need an insight, a direction, a suggestion, a consolation even a
rebuke to straighten our ways. The shepherds of our churches must have thought
of each person of their congregation – distinguishing every one with their
needs, bringing them in their private prayers and preparing a variety of
sermons to reveal the wisdom of God through the fickleness of life.
Sometimes, we expect so much from our church leaders. We
want to be noticed, prioritized, visited, served, respected, loved, encouraged
- the list can go on. Day or night, these men of God must be ready whenever the
congregation needs. They don’t have a fixed schedule nor a possibility to
negotiate their salary regarding overtime work. They are available all the
time. I could hardly hear a pastor’s excuse not to serve in a ministry because
he is tired. Fortunately churches start to give a vacation to their leaders.
But more often these shepherds are still available for private consultations,
prayers and so on during their vacation.
Apostle Paul in today’s reading reminds us to acknowledge
such men who work hard devoting themselves to the ministry (Verse 15). He
noticed the people who had helped him through his journey doing the work of
Christ. He wrote how Titus’ presence comforted him and his friends (2 Cor 7:6),
how he appreciated Onesiphorus who refreshed his heart over and over as he did
not leave Paul and was not ashamed at all to visit Paul in jail (2 Tim
1:16-17), and he asked people in Philippi to honor Epaphroditus who had risked
his life to help Paul (Phil 2:30). Paul also appreciated Stephanas, Fortunatus,
and Achaicus for the encouragement they brought to Paul and the help others may
not be willing to do (Verse 17).
Do we notice, appreciate and support our leaders who work
hard in the ministry we are involved in? Paul asks us to submit to them and
others like them who serve with such devotion (Verse 16). There are other
people also who are not necessarily the leaders of a church or ministry but
they comfort us, help with anything they have and even encourage the leaders to
keep going. Do we notice and appreciate such people? Paul said, “For they
refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.” (Verse 18).
Even our great Apostle Paul who got the direct mandate from
our Lord Jesus Christ needed encouragement and emotional support many times
from his fellow God's people. So we need one another in a ministry. Let's
appreciate, support, and encourage one another to continue serving the Lord
despite any difficult and complicated matters we may encounter in our daily
lives. May God help and strengthen us all. Amen.
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