Dejunk Our Life Series

 

Colossians 4:13 “I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.”

 

I Vouch For My Friend

  

St. Paul used a word that has great meaning for me.  He said in Colossians 4:13 about Epaphras, “I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.”    Vouch means that the supporting person testify with great evidence that the person they are speaking of is to be trusted.   That is what Paul did for Epaphras.  

 

I remember at the feed store one day old Mr. Ed wanted me to tell my Granddaddy that his order was in and he sent the word through me.  But he looked at me and said, “Can I be sure you will remember to tell your Granddaddy?” 

 

My friend Joey said, “Mr. Ed, I can vouch for him.”    The old westerns used “vouch” a number of times.   Someone vouches for another person in some matter of authority or responsibility.  Are we people that others can vouch for?  

 

This morning at Men’s group Chris Harris shared his testimony.  He did a great job!  He talked about the years he had been at SFUMC and mentioned our relationship together.   In essence, he said, as an aside, that I was a person who he trusted as his minister and his friend.   I deeply appreciated his remarks about me and his testimony.  

 

It is important that we live in such a way that our friends can vouch for us, that we are faithful friends and are earnest, stand-up people.   That we don’t let our moral life slide or our promises to our friends go unfulfilled.  

 

Even all these years later I remember a sense of panic when Mr. Ed, in essence, asked, “Could I be trusted?”  And the great sense of pride when Joey, who was this incredible kid, earnest, sincere, and hard working, who stood up straight and tall and was the best of humanity said, “Yes, sir, Mr. Ed I vouch for him.”    Is that not the greatest compliment we receive when those who know us best vouch for our character?   

 

What do people say about you?   Do they say they can vouch for your character, for your life, and for your word?   If you haven’t been all you hope to be, then take this as an opportunity to change and strive to be a person others vouch for.   Any day, we can change our life and as we walk the path of change we can come to be what others think of as outstanding.  

 

Prayer:

Dear God, help me to be a person people have confidence in.  Help me to prove my worth in this life.   Amen.