Who are these people Paul mentions in the closing remarks to the church at Rome? I mean, we recognize certain names like Peter, Timothy, Titus, John, Andrew, James, and of course, the apostle Paul. But who are these people? I’m guessing that these are the ones who kept the church at Rome going strong… the ones who kept showing up, the ones who worked behind the scenes with no recognition, the ones who cleaned the church, organized the next events, and sent out bulletins. I’m fairly certain these are the ones who probably didn’t get much recognition in the Christian circles, but they certainly got great recognition in heaven. Paul loved them, and he wanted everyone to know it.
The other night, I went to a Christian concert. While I love the artists who took to the stage and their songs have meant a lot to me, I thought to myself… it’s easy to sing about Jesus, talk about worship, and lift your voice to the roar of the crowd or when your songs are played throughout the airwaves. It’s easy to go out on stage when you have a team of people who do everything for you… they organize, they market, they send out emails, they get everything ready for a night of worship. It’s easy to be a Christian artist when you have a team of people who help you. Of course, it’s not always easy, but you understand what I’m saying.
I thought about the Church’s great Bible teachers who are also authors. Many of them have a team, a big publishing house doing all the leg work. They have theologians, editors, video technicians who work with them. They submit their manuscript and everyone on their team goes to work. When it’s time for the taping, they have camera crews, videographers, sound technicians, and make-up and hair people. It’s easy to write studies and get excited to teach when you have a great team or people around you.
I have two faithful people who help me. I have my trusted friend, Elsie, who leads our online discussion, and my dear friend, Jill, who edits the studies. I write my own emails, design my own Bible study covers, design my own graphics, write every daily devotional, videotape every message myself (with my phone and a little microphone I recently purchased for Daniel), edit all my videos, and do my own marketing. I used to advertise through Facebook, but they revoked those privileges. I’m not telling you this to pat myself on the back… NOT AT ALL. I’m telling you this to say that I love teaching God’s Word because I want God’s people to crave the Word of God like I do. I spend hours alone immersed in God’s Word and writing at my computer so that YOU can know Jesus more through His Word. I may not have the applause of multitudes here on this earth… but I do have the angels spurring me on, the Holy Spirit encouraging me, the craving of His Word guiding me, and the support and encouragement of many who participate in the studies.
Let me encourage you to keep going, keep showing up, and keep up the work even if no one is looking, if you are doing it alone, if you never receive any recognition, if you feel that your work is in vain, or if you are tired and want to quit. I’m pretty sure that the greatest heavenly applause is for these people. Let these people be your greatest role-models.