1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Acts 20:1-6 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.20.1-6.NIV
Paul was a man on a mission. This is where we get the term ‘missionary’. He didn’t move aimlessly but purposefully. We see his intention to go to Syria and possibly back to Jerusalem. But as he traces his path back, he still continues in his ministry. Verse 2 states that on his way, he encouraged many people in Christ. Encouragement is key in our walk. To many discouragements face us day by day. But strength and hope comes from those who encourage and uplift others. Such people will gather a following. They’ll build up others who’ll also want to build them up. We see this in the life of Paul. Wherever he went, he went accompanied by people who looked up to him. In this passage, we see a list of men from all walks of life some of whom went ahead of him to prepare for his arrival. Remember that he was a marked man. Some Jews had made it their ambition to stop him from spreading the gospel message as we see in his time in Greece. But Paul, being a man who uplifted people never lacked those who warned him and helped him along. The world is in dire need of encouragers. We have an opportunity just like Paul to play this role and be a blessing.
LIFE SCRIPTS 
Leave a comment