Dependability
Hi.
When I think of the Apostle Paul, the word “wholehearted†comes to mind. I see Paul as a man who abounded in faithfulness. He was a constant witness. He had a drive that allowed him to press on. It seems that no matter what the circumstance, Paul was ready to respond. It is as if Paul spent time thinking about what could happen to him and what his response would be – and then when those things actually happened, he was ready to act accordingly. As admirable as Paul is, though, I find it equally magnificent to note that Paul was rarely alone.
Paul was a strong man – he had strong desires, strong passions, and an obstinate attitude. He was clear on his purpose. Paul had a clear vision about his life and he spent his life doing what he could to fulfill that. Paul is clearly dependent on God, though. It is impossible to read what Paul wrote, or to read about Paul and not understand that he was entirely leaning on Jesus. It just so happens that some of our favorite motivational passages from the New Testament come from Paul’s hand – e.g. Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 1:21; Philippians 4:13.
There was much more to the ministry of Paul, though, than dependence on God. We may think of Paul as a solitary man who was completely dedicated to God – and that is true. But Paul also had a very large circle of helpers. Certainly with God’s help, Paul could have done anything. But God chose to use Paul in the company of many others. Paul is almost never alone in his ministry. Paul was an iconic success partly due to the many that came along beside him.
While Paul usually worked with a single partner, or a very small group of helpers, these people were never constant. I see that Paul was probably a difficult person to deal with. He was opinionated and focused. This did not bode well for some of his helpers. So the people around Paul changed often.
Paul started his first journey with Barnabas (Acts 13). When Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along, Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp disagreement†and Paul replaced Barnabas with Silas (Acts 15:37-40). Paul would later ask Timothy to bring Mark to him in prison, “for he is very useful to me for ministry†(2 Timothy 4:11). Timothy, Paul’s “true child in the faith†(1 Timothy 1:2) joined Paul and Silas (Acts 16:1) and a little later he and Silas left Paul (Acts 17:14). Silas and Timothy would rejoin Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5). It is in Corinth that Paul developed a relationship with Aquila and his wife Priscilla (Acts 18:2-3). Paul later tells that Priscilla and Aquila “risked their necks for my life…†(Romans 16:4). Paul also considered Titus “my true child in a common faith†(Titus 1:4). For many of Paul’s journeys, the “beloved physician†(Colossians 4:14) Luke joins Paul. Paul interacted with John, James, and Peter (Galatians 2:9) and even bickered with Peter (Galatians 2:11). Paul worked with Tychicus, “a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant†(Colossians 4:7). He worked with Epaphroditus, “my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier… and minister to my need†(Philippians 2:25). Tradition tells us that Phoebe delivered the letter to the Romans (Romans 16:1). Philemon is called a “beloved fellow worker†(Philemon 1:1). Onesiphorus “refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains†(2 Timothy 1:16). There are many more people that Paul mentions, and probably dozens we do not read about in the New Testament. The sixteenth chapter of Romans mentions nearly forty people. The end of nearly every letter Paul wrote passes greetings on to special people in his life.
Some people in Paul’s life were not dependable. The most striking example is that of Hymenaeus and Alexander, “whom I have handed over to Satan†(1 Timothy 1:20).
I take away from this that Paul was an independent person who depended on others. Does that make sense? Paul’s personality was one of focus and independence. He had a clear vision. He was determined and faithful. Paul also realized that he could not do this alone. He realized that dependence on God included depending on others. He was not so focused on God that he missed the strength of teamwork and the power of help.
Are you like that? Are you an independent person that needs to learn dependence? We all understand the concepts of depending on God. This is a constant struggle for many of us. Even more difficult for me is the idea of depending on other people. God is a perfect, omnipotent being – I can trust Him. But people are not perfect. Hello! I have a hard time depending on other people. I am slowly learning, though, that depending on God includes depending on others.
Let us be dependable people. Let us be willing to be used. Let us be willing to serve those around us. Let us be examples of dependability. Who knows? As dependable people, we may be used to help another Paul.
-z
Z-
I miss you bro! But your “jib-jab” keeps inspiring me. Big thanks and full frontal hugs to you.
Johnny Ballistic.
I often feel that I disappoint people although I have a pretty high standard of dependability. I feel disappointed by others even more often. We know that Paul struggled with being disappointed by people. Were they disappointed with him too? I have a hard had a hard time with this area over the years. Thanks for your insights. BTW, I read the worship post too. Keep playing ball with your kids. You’ll never be sorry you did.