“If I’m open to being led by the Holy Spirit when I’m reading the Bible,” Stan commented one morning, “there’s virtually no limit to the impact He can have on my faith walk.”
“I can believe that,” I replied, “but I bet you have something specific for me. What do you have in mind?”
“The importance of not waiting for Tychicus,’
“The importance of not waiting for Tychicus,” I repeated. “What’s a Tychicus and what does that have to do with your faith walk?”
It’s a ‘who,’ not a ‘what’,” Stan replied. “Tychicus was a friend and a companion of the apostle Paul. In at least a couple of places in the Bible, he is mentioned as someone Paul was sending to the church to let them know how Paul was doing.”
“Okay,” I replied, “but what does that have to do with your faith walk?”
“Rather than waiting for someone else to tell me how another person is doing,” Stan said, “It seems to me that I am to take the initiative and find out for myself how that person is doing. Check in with them regularly to see what’s going on with them. Do they need prayer or other support? Is there anything I can do for and with them?”
“Oh,” I replied, “as in not waiting to hear but to find out on your own, because if you don’t take the initiative you may never find out.”
“Exactly,” Stan said. “In Paul’s day there was no instant communication. The process of letting other people know anything was slow. Not so today. I believe I am to take advantage of the ability to have almost instant contact with fellow believers and see how they’re doing. If I don’t, I may never find out on this side of eternity what I could have done for them.”
“And,” I replied, “I suppose the same thing in true with those who have not yet come to faith. If I check on them and see how I might help them, I may very well have a role in helping them with their eternal destination.”
“And their life on this side of eternity,” Stan added.
“Don’t wait for someone to send Tychicus,” I said. “There may not be one for them to send, and he may never show up. Is that the point?”
“You got it my friend,” Stan replied. “Don’t wait for Tychicus, go and find out for yourself!”
_____________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. Ephesians 6:21.
As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow-bondslave in the Lord, will bring you information. Colossians 4:7.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you bring people into my life who you want me to care about. I confess that too often I do not go out of my way to find out how those people are doing. I do not find out if there is anything you would have me do with and for them because I am too focused on myself, not on what you have for me. Please forgive me of that foolish focus on myself. And please help me in following every step of your lead so I do reach out to the people you have for me to contact so I can be who you intend doing what you have for me to do to make a difference for you and your kingdom. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Are there people in your life you should check on more often than you do to see how they’re doing? If so, why is that? If you think they will let you know if they need anything, is that just a self-focused excuse to not be involved in what the Lord may have for you to be and to do? If you sense you are just “waiting for Tychicus,” and you should be more pro-active in taking the initiative to find out how others are doing and if there is anything you can do to help them, how is that sort of change going to occur in your life? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 