Daily Thought For May 6, 2016
The Gift of Companionship
Some people thrive on change, but not all of us. We like to have some sense of order and a feeling that we know what is going to happen next. The reality is, however, that life is full of changes: new jobs, new homes, children, grandchildren, and so much more—our lives can be very unpredictable. Yet from Paul’s example, we can see that companionship is an important key to help us embrace all these transitions.
Paul spent many years traveling far and wide to preach the gospel. He would stay in one place for a year or so and then move on to a different city. In today’s passage, for example, we are given a glimpse of his time in Corinth, and then we read of his departure for Syria. Yet in all of his journeying, Paul was rarely alone. Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, and Priscilla and Aquila—these are just a few of the people who accompanied him. They probably taught and preached together, prayed and shared their lives together, and, above all, helped each other keep their eyes on Jesus in the midst of the challenges and trials they faced. Imagine how much more challenging Paul’s constantly changing circumstances would have been if he were on his own!
We may not be missionaries like Paul, but companionship is just as important for us. Friends support us by listening to our joys and struggles. They encourage us and cheer us up when things look dim. They offer us a different perspective when we are stumped by a challenge. They even let us vent about things that are annoying! Most of all, they add stability to our lives as we experience the transitions and upheavals that life can throw at us. Because of them, life can become a shared journey and not a solitary adventure.
Are you facing some kind of change or transition right now? Imagine it as a kind of voyage. Who would you take with you? Maybe your companions are facing their own challenges—you can help each other along the way! Give someone a call today, and share what’s going on in your life. Ask them how they are doing. May the Lord deepen our friendships, especially when everything else seems up in the air!
“Thank you, Lord, for the gift of companionship.”
Daily Reflection from The Word Among Us (www.wau.org)