ROMANS 16:9

“Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.”

I was talking to my friend, Dierf, this morning about our ministries and how the Lord reveals things to us little by little. If the Lord had shown me the future of my ministry back when I first started in 1979 (over 47 years ago), I would have probably said He was crazy. I don’t mean that irreverently. It’s just that we never know the future, and that’s a good thing. If I had known mine, I would have probably messed it up.

In verse 9 of Romans 16, Paul mentions two other individuals, Urbanus and Stachys, who were friends of his in ministry. One he calls “fellow worker” and the other he calls (once again) “beloved.” Neither Paul nor these men knew what the future held for them. Let’s take a look at each of these and see how their lives might inspire us in our walk with Christ.

APPLICATION

According to Christian tradition, Urbanus (also known as Urban) was one of the 70 disciples sent out by Christ. Your version may say 72 were sent. That all depends on the translation of the Greek. 70 or 72? It doesn’t really matter. The point is Jesus chose Urbanus to be one of those He sent to share the Gospel. Urbanus supposedly became a bishop in Macedonia and is considered by many to be the patron of discipleship. That really hits home with me since my ministry is all about making disciple makers. He was martyred in Rome in the 1^st century. Application for us: Stay true to your calling and continue to go and make disciples wherever the Lord leads.

Then we have Stachys. He also was considered one of the 70 sent out by Jesus. He also became a bishop. He served in Byzantium as the second bishop of that church. Supposedly, he was a great preacher of the Gospel and gathered crowds to hear him. Unlike many of the early church leaders, Stachys is said to have died in peace rather than being martyred. He served the church he built for sixteen years. Application for us: Again, wherever the Lord leads, follow. Whether a sacrifice or a blessing, serve where planted.

Okay, your turn. Where has the Lord placed you right now? Wherever that is, serve Him. Your service may require great sacrifice, as Urbanus. Or you may serve at peace, like Stachys. The main thing is trusting the One who sent you and working to please Him. You don’t know what the future may hold, but as the song says, you know who holds tomorrow.

I trust You Lord to guide my future day by day. Reveal to me as I am ready.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis).