Some time during the last few years, one of our members spoke about her Connect Group class members saying, “I miss my people.” This made me wonder, “Who are your people?” Who are the ones with whom you share life? I know: some people sap you and take life away from you. But others, just by who they are and what they say to you fill your sails with the wind of hope. Life-giving people! Who are yours?
Paul had people. Many of them had migrated to Rome. When Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, majestically steeped in theology, he had faces in mind. Priscilla and Aquila were at it again in Rome, starting a church in their home. They used to make tents with Paul as they planted Christ in the lives of people. Paul probably smiled as he breathed their names again. You never forget your first convert. In Asia, Epaenetus was the first to believe. As a boy, it was my buddy Renee Mitsusawa who went to R. A.’s with me. At my first church it was Johnny Smith, followed shortly by his brother Jerry. Big guys. Rufus’s mom became a mom to Paul, too. How many wonderful moms in the Lord have blessed me through the years? Too many to count. They mean more as I live now without my own. Paul couldn’t forget Persis who worked hard in the Lord. Lots of hard workers among Paul’s people. It takes one to know one.
You can’t make it through this life or the Christian life without people. I once went to a funeral for a lady I did not know. Her husband was a famous pastor in our city. He didn’t speak at his wife’s funeral. Some pastors do. But he didn’t. Instead, their dearest friends stood up and spoke. The husband was a pastor in a different denomination. He stood up and described their travels together and said of the deceased, “She gave us the sacrament of friendship.” Sometimes friends can save our lives. I drove home and asked Melanie, “Who are we going to travel with when we get old.” She looked at me like I was crazy. We were so young. Over the years since, God has answered our desire. We have people. Good thing too. Some days you need them just to live. They refill the reservoirs that others empty.
