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, emphasis added
Epaphroditus was obviously important to the apostle Paul and to the church at Philippi. I wonder, sometimes, do we treat those who serve the Lord faithfully – even in difficult times – well. Those unsung servants like nursery workers and meal servers and choir members and van drivers … do we receive these people with all joy? Do we make it a point to recognize their service, not to us but to the Lord? Perhaps today, this Lord’s Day, you could take notice of an unsung hero in your faith family … maybe send them a note of gratitude or make the extra effort to say thank you.
Lord, we don’t always notice all the little things people do … we just sort of expect them to be done. Today, we thank You for burdening hearts to care for little ones in nurseries and teach middle school boys in Sunday School. We thank you for those who pick up trash and help visitors find seats. Today, Lord, open our eyes to those around us who are faithfully serving in countless usually unnoticed ways and give us the words to express our gratitude for what they do in Your Name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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