Jul 29
Today’s Truth
Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing (Ephesians 6:21 NIV).
Friend to Friend
Many had left the morning church service, but I remained on the pew. Tears fell as I talked to God.
Father, what is my calling?
It felt like others had this figured out. I wanted to know what God wanted me to do, and yet I had no idea what that looked like. That’s when I noticed a boot swinging down the row from me.
A young teen and his little sister sat quietly. He had long, dark blonde hair that hung over his eyes. She chewed her gum with gusto. I got to know them a few months earlier when they asked for a ride home after church. That soon became a regular occurrence. I’d stop at a drive through for burgers on the way, adding in one for mom.
Our car rides were short, but their innocent conversations revealed that things were hard. Dad was in jail. Mom had to work two jobs, doing what she could to keep her little family together.
That day, I scooted closer to them on the pew.
“Do you need a ride home?” I asked.
They nodded.
“Are you hungry?”
Smiles all around.
When I pulled in front of their home, their mom waited in the doorway; fatigue marked every inch of her being. Her son raced out of the car. His sister hugged me, then grabbed the sack with her mom’s burger and rushed to the door. As I backed out of the driveway, the answer to my prayer came in a rush. It felt like a billboard in my soul.
Suzie, those two children are your calling – for today.
In Ephesians 6, Paul ends a letter with what seems like a random message, but it tells us so much about a man named Tychicus.
“Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing” Ephesians 6:21 (NIV).
Tychicus is mentioned only a handful of times in scripture. He’s never front and center. Instead, Paul describes Tychicus as “faithful.” He’s the guy who shows up. While he might not be a headliner, he’s vital to Paul and God’s work.
I had been asking God for a special assignment. I wanted details. I longed to be able to map it all out. Yet my calling was to simply be faithful. That day’s mission was a ride home for two children and to run through a drive through for burgers and fries. The next day it would look different.
I had been fitful over my calling, while my true invitation was to be faithful.
Years later I received a Facebook message.
It was the teen with the dark blonde hair, except now he was a husband and young father. His family moved when his dad was released from jail years before. He told me that life wasn’t easy, but it was less hard than it had been. His sister was also doing well. She was studying to be a nurse.
“I never forgot you,” he said.
As I read that message, tears came.
It didn’t look like much – a ride home for two children, a sack of burgers here and there. Yet it was important to God because that mama and her two children were important to Him. He said that he and his little sister felt safe and that many times the burgers were the only lunch his mama enjoyed.
Maybe you’ve been wrestling with the question I had so many years ago.
God, what is my calling?
Instead of asking that question, what if we put a new one in its place.
Lord, how can I be faithful today?
Daily faithfulness, listening for the voice of God, and saying yes to it – that’s where we find our calling. It might be big or small. It might be seen or unseen. Yet God uses it to make a difference as we simply show up.
Let’s Pray
Jesus, how can I be faithful today? Show me my part to play today in Your plan, big or small,
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
What is one way you can show up for another today? Ask God and then follow through. We have no idea of how God can use such a small thing to make such a beautiful difference.
More from the Girlfriends
Discover the joy of saying yes to Jesus in Suzie’s book, Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following 
Where He Leads.
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© 2022 by Suzanne Eller. All rights reserved.
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Thanks so much for sharing this message. This had me in tears. God bless you!
Your message brought back memories of the past. I pray to be faithful everyday. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings to you
This is a wonderful devotional and so spot on! Thank you for sharing this. Today, I will ask God how I can be faithful. Wonderful!
I love this, Lisa. Thank you for taking the time to share!
I appreciate your devotional this morning. There are many ways big or small that
God can use us. We just have to be faithful, as He is faithful.
Thank yo so much for sharing this inspiration this am!
Just what I needed to read, while praying for a difficult friend and family members that are always in my prayer requests to God. My affirmation is “I need to be faithful”.
I need to be constantly, mindful of their strong willed stance; and that God is the one, to bring them to Himself. I just need to be faithful; just like my blessed Aunt was for me!
Thank you for stating we need to hold onto “Lord, how can I be faithful today?” That statement reminds me I need to stay close in my daily steps with Jesus, so I can see who needs me to show up everyday, even in the smallest efforts for Him.
Blessings to you, Suzie; for staying faithful to us!
Praying for God’s strength, joy, and presence as you trust him. <3
I too have been searching for what God wants me to do. I have always classified myself as a “jack of all trades but master of none”. I volunteer for lots of things that deal with my ‘comfort’ zone. Today it clicked. “These two children are your calling – for today”. When I read that phrase, it truly sunk it. Thank you so much for this devotion. My new focus is that my calling is to be faithful, so will not feel guilty because I don’t know what my calling is. Well today I do know what my calling is. And I will hopefully feel more comfortable going outside of my comfort zone! THANK YOU!
That’s powerful, Susan! I love this “aha” moment and pray that you will understand how much difference it makes when we simply say yes to being faithful day by day. I also love that you are a Jack of All Trades. We need you in this world!
Thank you Suzie for sharing this message today. My family and I have been discussing spiritual gifts from Sunday. Faithfulness – Steadfastness – ….
Thank you.
Don’t you love how God reinforces what we are learning? I love that too.
Thank you for the reminder, as Mother used to say Little is much if God is in it. This devotional brought tears to my eyes also. We are “restarting” a ministry to middle school girls Pampering & Prayers, remembering it’s not all about us but others.
Praying that God uses you to leave an impact on these girl’s lives. Thank you for what you do!
Beautiful reminder! Jesus took time for people and often we are so busy, we miss these opportunities. Small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.Thanks for sharing!
I know how much small acts of kindness has impacted me. Thank you, Sarah!
Thank you for helping me to realize that I am not here for myself, but we are here on this earth for others. Help us God to be more selfless and full of love instead of selfish and full of hate and jealousy.
Amen!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this devotion. This morning I spent time in silent prayer just listening to God, meditating in the silence. Your devotion was the answer to my prayer. YOU are a MAJOR BLESSING from our LORD JESUS🙏
I love this so much, Cindy.
Suzie, you have touched my heart again. What a beautiful devotion! God knew I needed to hear this today. I have gotten so caught up in social media and all the BIG things people are doing that my life almost seems insignificant and mundane. But your devotion today allowed me to put things in perspective. God can use us in even the mundane things ! I’m feeling refreshed and energized to be faithful to the one who has always been faithful to me! May god continue to use you in a mighty way.
Thank you, Sarah. It is easy to get caught up in comparison. I think we will all be amazed at how God used what seemed small in such incredible ways! : )
Mrs. Eller, thank you so much for your transparency and letting the LORD use you! I love the Girlfriends in GOD devos and look for them in my inbox daily. They are all so relatable and helpful, however, I never comment. Today, Mrs. Eller I felt compelled to do so. I hadn’t gotten fully through the whole devotional before the tears started flowing. When I tell you THIS blessed me and was so for me TODAY 🙌🏾🙌🏾 HALLELUJAH 🙌🏾 Like I told the LORD it’s like my soul was literally soothed by this. I thank GOD for your Faithfulness and for you🙌🏾
Ah, Katherine, I love this. You are such an encourager. God used you even today. <3
Thank you so much for this reminder. I retired from full time service as a pastor for pastoral care at my church nearly 12 months ago. Now and again, I have wondered if I am still doing God’s Will. I realise that just lately, I have stopped asking Him to show me where He is working and when and if I should join Him. Thank you for the “reset” I received in your message.
You have made such a difference already, and there is more ahead. Small things. Big things. They are all seen and they all make a difference. Thank you!
This is perfect! Thank you for posting this. I NEEDED to hear this! I’ve been asking this question for the past 8 months. Now I know, I am where I am to be a blessing to others in simple ways.
Thank you for your story. Like so many other people I was tearing up at the picture of that hug from the little sister and the message that young man later sent to you. I worry much about what God wants me to do. I love that you reminded me of simply looking to see who or what is right in front of me.
I love that God answers our deepest questions. Praying that you continue to be the blessing that you already are.