“Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:7-8 CSB)
As an introvert, I appreciate the value of being alone. For me, it’s the time when I can process my thoughts, and recharge my emotional energy. As important though as that time is to me, I have also been learning over the years the value of being with others and intentionally leaning into community, ensuring that I am building strong Jesus-centered relationships with people around me.
This is true for all of us, including the Apostle Paul.
As Paul sat in chains writing to his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in the city of Philippi, one of the sources of joy for him was the people into whom he had invested. Every time the names and faces of the community of believers came to mind as he prayed, Paul was reminded of the special bond he had with them.
“I have you in my heart”, Paul wrote. “For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Jesus Christ.” The relationship that Paul had with these men and women was far from shallow or superficial. They weren’t just some passing acquaintances. They were those in whom he was deeply invested. He longed or yearned to be with them. He missed them dearly.
Do you have relationships like that? Do you have people in your life who you are so deeply invested in that when they are not around for an extended period, it feels like something is missing?
Interestingly, it wasn’t ultimately their relationship that brought Paul so much joy. It was what was at the center of these relationships. Paul’s joy was “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” He spoke of them as “all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”
Ultimately, the foundation of these relationships was the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ that each one of them had embraced by faith. It was their shared commitment to partner together in the mission entrusted to them by Jesus Christ. This is what brought Paul so much joy as they came to mind. It was a deep, Jesus-centered community that was rooted in a common purpose.
Their example is a helpful reminder that the Christian life and mission isn’t meant to be a solo sport. Rather, following Jesus is to be done in a deep, Jesus-centered community with His gospel at the center. The new life that Jesus has for us through His Holy Spirit is most richly experienced together with other believers who share our love for Jesus and our commitment to His mission.
If you have people in your life like that already, continue to lean into that community. Take some time, like Paul did, to pray for them today. Thank God for the partnership you have in the gospel together and for the grace of God that you have experienced. If you don’t have people like that, then pray and ask God to lead you in this way. Ask Him to put someone in your path today.
And together, let’s be intentional to find ways to cultivate this kind of community here at Scott Mission – with each other and with those whom we have the privilege to serve.
