"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon ... I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier ..."

- from Philippians 2:19, 25

All week we've been listening as Paul teaches us about faith-motivated service as it's lived out in the lives of two of his friends: Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Paul has deep relationships with these men, grounded in their common participation in the gospel story. Paul refers to these men with family language (son, brother). He talks about their partnership and how much it means to him. He praises them and tells the Philippian church to honor them. These men are some of Paul's closest friends.

And yet, Paul sends them away.

He sends both of them to Philippi. Timothy, he sends to encourage and find out news about the Philippian church. Epaphroditus, he sends to go back home and, we assume, to deliver this letter. He releases them to go and do what will be best for God's work in the world. And we learn something from this.

When we participate in the bigger gospel story, our relationships change. On the one hand, they become deeper and stronger. When I'm no longer living for my own story and you're no longer living for your own story and we each share a bigger story ... we experience the most meaningful relationships imaginable. But something else happens too.

When we participate in the bigger gospel story, we learn how to be close to people even when they're out of sight. Our bonds don't get broken by time or distance. We're freed from the temptation to hoard people like possessions.

And we have the joy of watching people we care about go and do the things that we share a common love for, as we share in this gospel story and gospel mission together.

Have you struggled with trying to hoard relationships rather than holding them loosely?

Have you ever "sent someone out?" Is there someone that God's calling you to bless and send out right now in your life?

We would love to send you the "Connect Devotional" via email.

To sign up, click here: Send me the Connect Devotional