January 19, 2026
My wife and I are blessed; we have wonderful relationships with our adult kids. Without fail, we talk with our oldest at least once a week, usually more. Our middle child lives halfway across the world, yet at least once a week she calls to say hello. And our baby, she texts more than she calls, but we still chat with her quite a bit too.
Sometimes the conversations are just about saying hello and chit-chatting about this and that; and sometimes they’re deep. Last night, when my spirit was all stirred-up, our oldest called to ask a theological question I couldn’t answer. One question led to two, and those questions led to a deeper conversation about the nature of the church and God’s working in salvation history. While I wasn’t really in the mood to have a deep theological conversation, our God talk was good.
Neither of us expected to talk for another hour and half; yet, that conversation too was another beneficial God talk, for both of I us I might add. We were close to wrapping up when Max walked into my office. I waved him while Hallie finished her thought. “Sorry kiddo,” I said, “Someone just walked into my office and I’ve gotta go.”
Max and I can talk for hours about this and that, today was no different. But as with most days, Max came ready with questions; today’s inquiry was deep. “How does sin lead to death?” I answered with another question: “Temporal death, or eternal death?” Because the answer can be both. Max’s ears perked. For the next who knows how many minutes, I talked (go figure), and Max listened. Then, like a good student, he eyed my bookshelf, and I recommended a book he might like. Knowing Max, he’ll have it read by next week.
Both Max and my daughter Hallie are thirsty for more God in their lives. I think that’s why I enjoy my God talks with them so much. I admire them both, they’re disciples of Christ who just want to know more, and to live their lives with purpose, and for that purpose to impact others. The Apostle Paul had students like them, people like Timothy and Titus, (spouses) Priscilla & Aquila, Luke and John Mark (gospel writers both), and host of many others. Like Max and Hallie, their journeys all began with God talks in a personalized way. About Epaphras, who little is known about, the Paul said this:
“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. You have already heard about this hope in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heard it and came to truly appreciate God’s grace. You learned this from Epaphras, our dearly loved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, and he has told us about your love in the Spirit.”
As it was with Timothy and Titus, I’m sure Paul had great God talks with Epaphras also. He certainly wasn’t as famous as the other two, but Paul considered him enough to record their names in the annals of history. In the end, Epaphras was just like you, or Max, or my Hallie bean — all curious to know more about God and desiring to have God change your life.
Heavenly Father, may we all have people like Epaphras, and Max, and Hallie in our lives; men and women who desire to know more about you, and have come to us to explore the wonders of your salvation together. Amen.