Have you ever longed for that pat on the back that so rarely comes? Perhaps you feel that most of what you do at home, in the workplace, or in ministry goes unnoticed. You might feel like you will never be the one to shine.

I can relate.

However, as I recently read through Ephesians, this struck me.

“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. I am sending him to you, that he may encourage you.” Ephesians 6:21,22

Paul was writing his letter from a Roman prison to the believers in Ephesus to strengthen them in their Christian faith. Tychicus would be the messenger of this letter and the carrier of encouragement to the church at Ephesus.

Have you ever heard the name Tychicus? No, I hadn’t noticed or remembered it either.

But doing a deeper dive on this man, I found this:

He was a dear brother, a faithful servant, a faithful minister in the Lord, an encourager, a companion to Paul on his trip to Macedonia and Greece; he would take over Titus’ work on Crete, and Paul sent him to Ephesus. (Colossians 4:7; Acts 20:4; 2 Timothy 4:12 and Titus 3:12)

The Apostle Paul valued Tychicus.

Paul longed to forge stronger personal links between himself and these Asian Christians. He loved his people well, and he communicated his situation and his desire to be with them. He was a gifted exhorter of the faith, and Tychicus was an instrumental envoy of encouragement.

I wonder if Tychicus ever felt insignificant while serving alongside Paul. After all, he didn’t have the impressive title, the Apostle Tychicus.

Yet Paul called him a dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord.

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4,5.

Would Paul have been able to relay his message of encouragement to the Church at Ephesus without Tychicus? He was in prison, so that would have been impossible! He couldn’t send a quick text or write them an email. His assistant played an integral role in building up the church.

And you know what, friend? So do you. Wherever your gifts or strengths lie, God can and is using you. Whether you are up front or behind the scenes in the workplace or in ministry, know that your labor is not in vain. Whether others are giving you the accolades you’re longing for or not, know that you are seen by God.

Let’s take our cues from Paul and Tychicus and be the ones who encourage and exhort others, and build up the body of Christ.

You can be the one who:

• Reminds someone of her significance.
• Shines a light on her giftedness.
• Builds up, rather than tears down.
• Shares the glory.
• Emphasizes her value.
• Gives a timely word of encouragement.

Often, this is the reassurance someone needs to refresh her soul. A bolstering moment can be an invigorating boost that lends clarity and confirms our purpose in the Kingdom.