Acts 20.1-6

Reference: (WARNING: Verse very difficult to read aloud!!)
v.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. (NIV Bible)

Explore: Have you ever received the email about friends coming into your life at particular times? I don't remember the wording very well but the jist of the circulating email is that people come into our lives for certain seasons. When we meet someone they may not end up being a part of our lives forever, but the part they play in that particular season is very special and important.
Today we read of a group of people accompanying Paul. It seems that along his missionary journeys he has different people with him along the way. While they may not stay to the very end, each person is significant and would play a role for Paul.

Application: Our lives are the same. There are people that we are close to at different times in our life, they may not be around us forever but that doesn't undermine the value the relationship had in it's season. We all go through different seasons and there are people along the way that help to develop our strengths and create us into the person we are today. While we may look back a grieve a relationship that is no longer as strong, we can celebrate the season that it was important and look to those who are around us now.

Prayer: Lord, you created the world at the very beginning with seasons. While we may enjoy one season better than the other, help us to understand that every season of our life is essential for our growth and our connection with you. Amen.