A Breath of Fresh Air – 22 October 2009

Do everything readily and cheerfully - no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!  Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.  Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.  Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns.  You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.  Even if I am executed here and now, I'll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ's altar, a part of your rejoicing.

But turnabout's fair play - you must join me in my rejoicing.  Whatever you do, don't feel sorry for me. I plan (according to Jesus' plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather.

Oh, how that will do my heart good!  I have no one quite like Timothy.  He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you.  Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus.  But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing.

Philippians 2:14-22 [The Message]

Troubles and suffering, breakdown in relationships, bereavement or other trauma in our lives creates doubt in our faith, depression, self hatred and a desire to just curl up into oneself.  Even if the suffering comes from a genuine desire to be a good Christian there is still that guilty feeling that it is all one’s own fault.   So if a friend brings a breath of fresh air into the pollution caused by our problems then how it does one’s heart good (v 19).

Again Paul hits the nail on the head in the way to encourage one another: “go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air… Give people a glimpse of good living and the living God”.  It’s a reminder that there is good in the world and it is worth fighting for.  It’s good advice, but then Paul unwittingly goes a step further by mentioning Timothy.  It is lovely remembering friends and writing to them, but it does not beat personal contact and even Paul is grateful for that “I have no-one quite like Timothy”.  And it seems an unlikely friendship, the old hardened war-horse Paul and the new keen Christian Timothy.  But Paul appreciated Tim’s concern and loyalty.

So to really encourage do it face to face – be the breath of fresh air! It will do my heart good! And don’t be afraid to go to your friend. Turn and turn about, as Paul observes.

Today: To whom will I be a breath of fresh air!