Even Paul!

DEVOTION BY GUEST WRITER GLORIA KEARNEY

Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord and his mother, who has been a mother to me too. Romans 16:13

The final chapter in Romans is remarkable in that it is composed, almost entirely, of greetings to those who helped Paul in his ministry. The previous 15 chapters contain some of the deepest theological teaching in all of Scripture, showing Paul to be a man of great intellectual ability. This final chapter shows us that even Paul needed the support of others to carry out his ministry effectively.

Among over 30 men and women, he mentions his co- workers, Priscilla and Aquila, his benefactor Phoebe, Mary who worked hard for the church, Timothy, his co- worker and Tertius, who wrote the letter on Paul’s behalf. Even Paul couldn’t serve in isolation – Neither can we!

I read verse 13 at a time when I was leading a church women’s group. We were studying the ‘one anothers’ of Scripture, being encouraged to love one another, forgive one another, etc. The study blessed and challenged us in equal measure! I had never really noticed verse 13 before: “and his mother, who has been a mother to me too.” It struck me that even Paul needed a ‘mother’ to nurture and encourage him. She isn’t named but Paul felt it important to acknowledge her help and loving support. Could you be a ‘mother’ or ‘father’ to someone today?

The work of God is always done best when it is done ‘together’. I wrote the following poem to remind the ‘One Another’ group of this simple but vital truth.

TOGETHER
There's a power in together that one alone can never know,
Designed by God to serve as one, that's how we live and grow.
For we are joined together, Christ's Glory to display,
Shaped by some great mystery, into His body on earth today.
And we are held together by bonds of grace and love,
Clasping hands and linking arms, as we work for God above.
Built together, brick by brick, standing side by side,
Formed into a dwelling place, where His Spirit can abide.
May we have power together to grasp and know His love,
And share with one another blessings poured out from above.
For there is power in together, in the 'one another' way,
Serving Him by serving others, living together day by day.