Developing an attitude of gratitude #6: working with others

Working with other people is hard. They don’t do it exactly as we would do it. Sometimes it feels easier to do it all ourselves, but that’s not what we’re usually called to do. We’re part of a team. We’re part of a body. And it’s in how we work with others and relate to others that we can demonstrate visibly the love of God in action.

Other people let us down. Other people are annoying. And yet other people can also be a huge support and encouragement.

Like Timothy and Epaphroditus in Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. Philippians 2:19-24

Timothy sounds great, doesn’t he? Almost too good to be true. The perfect colleague and friend. Timothy is genuinely interested in other people. He genuinely cares. That’s a rare gift. Most of us are too caught up in our own agendas to demonstrate true care and attention. But Timothy has proved himself worthy of his calling.

And then there’s Epaphroditus. It sounds like he’s really been through it.

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honour people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. Philippians 2:25-30

He’s homesick. He’s been so ill he nearly died. Everyone back home is worried about him. He needs to go home.

But giving up on a calling to serve is so hard. When physical illness prevents us from doing what we feel we have been called by God to do, it’s so disappointing and frustrating and confusing. Why did God put that vision to serve Him in this way in my heart if I don’t have the physical capacity to see it through? Why would God allow me to fail? Why has God not given me the resources I need to complete the work?

We don’t understand. We will never understand. We are not called to understand.

People like Epaphroditus need to be honoured, not made to feel bad. They feel bad enough already. Dealing with our physical limitations can be such a struggle, but Paul talks in very positive terms about Epaphroditus. Epaphroditus needs to be welcomed home with open arms. He’s really been through it. He needs understanding and care.

Let’s celebrate what we and others can achieve and in particular, the attitude with which we achieve it, rather than focusing on each other’s failures and shortcomings.

We have people around us. Good people. People who care.

Let’s give thanks for others. We were never meant to go it alone.