The Bible is candidly honest about what happens in people’s lives! It tells not only of their successes and victories, but it also chronicles their failures and hardships. Even the greatest saints, such as the apostle Paul, suffered painful disappointments. After all he did to take the Gospel to people who had never heard it before, there were those who betrayed him. Friends Paul counted on, let him down. How painful it is to sacrifice much on behalf of others only to be abandoned by supposed friends.
Yet what may be even more tragic is that Phygellus and Hermogenes missed the opportunity to link their lives with one of the greatest men of God in history. Imagine! For 2,000 years people have been reading about them and what they did! Only, unlike Timothy, or Silas, or Barnabas, these men missed the opportunity to link their lives with one of the greatest church planting movements in history.
How often do we miss such opportunities? We have no idea what motivated these men. Perhaps they were jealous of Paul and allowed their envy to ruin their relationship. Perhaps they had sin in their lives and they were uncomfortable around the godly apostle. There are innumerable reasons why we can isolate ourselves from the very people who could bring us the greatest spiritual blessing.
Are you missing a divine opportunity due to a broken relationship?