On Archippus and Me

Colossians 3:22-24; 4:17 (JBP)  Slaves (employees), your job is to obey your masters (bosses), not with the idea of currying favour, but as a sincere expression of your devotion to God.  Whatever you do, put your whole heart and soul into it, as into work done for God, and not merely for men—knowing that your real reward, a heavenly one, will come from God, since you are actually employed by Christ, and not just by your earthly master….4:17 A brief message to Archippus: God ordained you to your work—see that you don’t fail him!

Observation

Archippus gets an admonishment here and a passing more affirming mention in the book of Philemon.  I don’t find him mentioned otherwise in the New Testament and I don’t think he is someone who is generally recognized.  This verse stopped me this time because I suspect I might understand why Archippus was called out by Paul.  Because of the subject of these two chapters, I am speculating that Archippus might have been unhappy or discontented in his work.  Haven’t we all been there at some time?

The reason could have been unhappiness brought on by fear because of the threat to life and liberty which Christians faced.  Paul was evidence that imprisonment with the threat of death was a real possibility. It could have been the possibility of failure because he was assigned to a role in ministry that he was ill-equipped for or otherwise under qualified to do in his estimation. It could also have been frustration based on a feeling that his efforts were without impact because he was not seeing the results he expected.  He could have felt his time, effort, gifts and anointing were being wasted in an insignificant, secular or non-visible job while his heart ached to do something which appeared to have more eternal impact. I don’t suppose we will ever know for sure, but, whatever the reason, it must have been obvious enough for Paul to call him out to be content, submitted, faithful and to follow through in the place and position which God ordained for him at that moment.

Impact on Me

Sad to say, if these were the motivations for Archippus, I understand and must substitute my name for his in Paul’s admonition because these types of fears and frustrations all passed through my mind during the years I worked in a secular job.  I suspect they are common to us all and challenge us to find out exactly how much we do trust God. Being content, submitted, faithful to and patient with God’s plan and timing for me was much easier for me to promise to do than to consistently actually do and be.  I am subject to my performance-based upbringing, in a society where visible, measurable accomplishment equals success.  The ache in my heart was to be in full time ministry.  Little did I understand that every Christian’s ministry and witness is 24/7 regardless of where God assigns one.

I worked for over 20 years in a full-time secular job and, while it was a good job, good company, good boss, it’s time and attendance requirements limited my ability to follow my heart in ministry.  I brought this before God regularly, trying to convince Him to consider my plan or change His timing, and, when I was done, He graciously brought someone into my office who needed prayer or encouragement or some other dose of the loveliness of Jesus.  It is then that the Holy Spirit graciously reminds me of Paul’s words to Archippus and I knew that they were meant for me, too!  I was reminded that where I was is where God placed me for such a time as that to fulfill His will and purpose and, if I could be content, submitted, faithful and patient, He would give me the desires of my heart at the perfect time. So, I endeavor to remember that I am employed by Christ wherever I may be and need to put my whole heart and soul into whatever He has asked me to do, trusting that He is using me even when I don’t recognize it. 

Devotion

Lord, You are God of both Heaven and Earth, Almighty, Everlasting, Faithful, Promise Keeper.  Help me in the power of the Holy Spirit to be a faithful and consistent doer, not just a promiser.  Where I am weak in commitment, understanding, follow-through, rise up to be strong in and through me.  Mold me, shape me, change me through Your wisdom to embrace whatever You have for me to do wherever You place me to do it.  Make it so, Lord, in Jesus’ name.