God Uses People Like You!

“As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him); and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house.” Colossians 4:7-15

In Colossians Paul lists several men who were sources of true encouragement to him. There was Luke, the doctor who treated his illness; Tychicus, Paul’s beloved brother and faithful servant; Barnabas, the ultimate encourager; Timothy, Paul’s beloved son in the faith; and John Mark, the author of the book of Mark and his fellow missionary.

Each of these men was completely different in personality and appearance. Yet each had a common thread holding them together. They had been called to a ministry within the family of God. No one was greater than the next. They were a team. These were common men with uncommon hearts. All they had to give, they gave to the work of God.

Luke had no idea that he would end up becoming Paul’s personal physician or that his education would lead him to author two New Testament books. Timothy was shy in nature; yet Paul sent him to Ephesus, a city steeped in paganism. Because of men like these, we have the new Testament today. You may not know what your ministry is, but you have one. God uses what we make available. Open your heart, and He will show you the ministry He has for you.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works...” Ephesians 2:10