I’ve not posted for a while. Maybe it’s time to revisit that. Our church family has been going through a series called “Connect The Dots,” honing in on how we engage people. We’ve been unpacking some language we’ve created around that idea…”Clear the path, Point the way, Walk there with.” So here is a devotional I wrote. I pray it may be useful to you.

“Everybody needs a Paul in their life. Everybody needs a Timothy and everybody needs a Barnabas.” I’ve heard that quote so many times from so many people, I don’t even know who to attribute it to, but I’m convinced it’s true. Just Google it and you can read countless blogs about how critical it is to create healthy relationships of this nature.

You can break it down and view it from several angles. The dynamics of all of those could easily be a teaching series more so than a daily devotion. We need teachers like Paul in our lives, people grooming us, coaching us, mentoring us, guiding us, discipling us with their wisdom. We need students like Timothy in our lives that we are passing on that wisdom as we pour into them. And we need friends like Barnabas to be in the trenches with us along the way, defending us, encouraging us and standing with us through thick and thin.

We need each other. You can’t read the Scriptures and come away with any other conclusion. It’s who Christ’s Church is…not just what we do. It’s why the Church is the only organization that exists for people not yet a part of it. God’s grace makes room for our brokenness…all of our brokenness. That helps us see the need for intentionality in how we engage each other, because it’s how He engages us…it’s speaks to the “why” behind the “what” of “Clear the path, Point the way, and Walk there with.”

As Christ followers, our spiritual maturity and formation is tied closely to our movement in a distinct direction towards Christ. We have somewhere we are going because we have somewhere He is calling us. That somewhere is into a deeper relationship with Him.

In Colossians 1:28-29 Paul writes, “ So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work hard at this, as I depend on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.” NLT

You can feel the intentionality to be present in these relationships and to pour into people at whatever cost. You can feel the need to warn and to teach with wisdom because eternity is at stake. Because a mature relationship with Christ is vital and it defines truly every relationship we have…with anyone. And Paul is committing to laboring tirelessly at these relationships through Christ’s strength because he knows they are worth it.

You can keep reading into chapter 2, 3 and 4 and you will see this idea of investment into this church in Colosse. You will see a desire to “walk there with” on this journey towards Jesus…as C.S Lewis would say, “further up and further in.” Paul chose to be present in any way possible. He chose to do what it takes to help them give God the room to move in their lives and therefore move in His distinct direct.

So who has helped you move in the distinct direction of Christ? Who has led you, pushed you, coached you?

Who are you intentionally leading, grooming, challenging?

Who are you in the trenches with?

Who is running alongside you, in your corner, praying for you? Busting your chops when you get off track? Encouraging you and covering you in prayer?

Maybe your next step is to pursue a Paul in your life.

Maybe your next step is to train a Timothy.

Maybe your next step is to become a Barnabas.

Take some time today to write down some names of those people that God lays on your heart and begin praying over them. Some might need a phone call saying thanks for all they have invested in you. Some might need a phone call because they need your godly counsel. Some might need a call to be reminded you are in their corner.