Colossians 4:7-18

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Take a moment to read Colossians 4:7-18 before reading the devotional below. 

Paul ends his letter to the Colossians by listing all the various people who have assisted him in his ministry. We see from verse 10 that Paul is indeed writing this from prison and Aristarchus is there with him. He dispatches Tychicus and Onesimus to bring the letter to Colosse and to encourage the believers there. Paul describes these and his other companions as a “comfort,” and it is a reminder to us all of the power of relationships. We need each other to accomplish God’s work.

Here’s your freedom for today: you don’t have to go it alone. The Christian life is meant to be lived in community, working alongside each other and using all our gifts to build up and encourage the church. When we try to accomplish God’s calling on our own, we fall into various traps like pride, loneliness, discouragement, and self-reliance. When you find yourself in isolation, reach out to others who can minister alongside you. Offer prayer support to others and ask them to pray for you. Find ways to work in a team so that the fruit of your work can multiply and the load can be shared. When ministry feels heavy, it is a sign that you are leaning on yourself too much. Give yourself permission to put something down and work towards change.