It is hard for me to imagine what it must have been like for the Apostle Paul and the early church leaders. No cell phones. No GPS. No texting. No private messaging. No video conferencing.

Paul was concerned about the church family at Philippi. He had none of these tools to instantly check on their situation and condition. So what did he do? He shared his plans with us.

“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state” (Philippians 2:19-20).

Timothy’s commission: “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you.”
Paul’s concern: “That I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.”
Timothy’s character: “For I have no man likeminded who will naturally care for your state.”

Timothy didn’t know what he would find. He didn’t know how he would be received. He didn’t know if his message would be accepted. He didn’t know if his presence would be appreciated. None of these things! He simply went because not only did Paul send him, he naturally cared about them.

You can see where I am headed, can’t you? To whom can you and I be a “Timothy” today? That is a very probing and important question, isn’t it?