Grady Nutt courted his wife in the same hallowed halls that I courted my Melanie. He said that he and his wife used to have devotional times in Waco Hall. With a twinkle in his eye he said, "I was devoted to her and she was devoted to me." Is there a Bible verse to send to people you love? In our youth group, these very verses became the scriptures of choice to send to our sweethearts. It was almost like Paul knew that someday there would be such a thing as young love. Of course, Paul was not thinking about this at all!
Paul's love for the Philippian believers reached way beyond puppy love. In obedience to God's call, he had started a church at a place of prayer and the whole group landed in Lydia's living room. Lydia became the first local leader of that great church. We stood on the banks of that river this summer and imagined what it must have been like for Paul to proclaim Christ and to make the very first converts and disciples in Europe.
Now I see these verses as a perfect portrait of a Pastor's love for his flock. Paul prays for them with gratitude and joy. They share in the work of the gospel with him. Paul holds high hopes for them, and his hopes are grounded in the resurrection. On the banks of the river in Philippi God started something inestimably good. Whatever God starts he finishes. Now what has God started in your life? Don't just watch God finish the work. Love deeply. Come to know God better. Be filled with God's goodness. Join God in his good work in you and finish well for his glory!
