Daily devotion – Sharing the load!
Colossians 4:7–9
“Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.”
— Colossians 4:7–9
Paul didn’t go into personal detail in this letter to the Colossians. Instead, he entrusted that task to two spiritual brothers—Tychicus and Onesimus. There’s something deeply meaningful about sharing life—our needs, struggles, and joys—with fellow believers. That’s exactly what our Wednesday night discipleship gatherings here at Calvary are about. They offer a time to strengthen and comfort one another, just as Paul desired for the believers in Colossae.
Tychicus is described by Paul as a faithful minister—someone who ministered both to Paul and on Paul’s behalf. It has been said that the greatest ability is dependability—and how true that is! Here at CCSH, we are blessed with people whose dependability is a true gift from God. Paul could count on Tychicus. Could others say the same about us?
Let’s take a moment to reflect. Are you like Tychicus or Onesimus? If your name goes on a roster, or you say you’ll be there, do others have confidence that you’ll follow through? Or have they come to expect a last-minute cancellation, an excuse, or silence?
Paul also calls Tychicus a fellow servant in the Lord. He wasn’t an apostle, but he served faithfully alongside Paul in the work of the ministry. They labored together for the Kingdom. Churches today could certainly use more people like Tychicus—humble, faithful, dependable servants.
And then there’s Onesimus. A former runaway slave from Colossae, he belonged to Philemon and had come to Christ through Paul’s ministry. Though a relatively new believer, Paul still called him faithful and beloved. What a testimony! Onesimus didn’t let his past define him. He grew quickly in the faith and became someone Paul could trust and send with confidence.
Serving the Lord is often a shared work—bearing one another’s burdens and walking together in obedience. Tychicus and Onesimus give us a beautiful example of what it means to be devoted companions in ministry.
May you respond to the Lord’s call on your life with the same heart. Be faithful, be dependable, be a blessing to those serving alongside you—just like Tychicus and Onesimus.