I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
(Philippians 2:19-24)
In this passage Paul was writing to the church in Philippi, sending Timothy to them as they would need him. If you read on, you’ll see that Paul let them know he hoped to be coming soon himself. I love that he phrases it in terms of trust in the Lord, meaning that he fully put his life and destiny in God and what His plans were for his life.
The Greek word he uses here – “peitho” means to cause to come to a particular point of view or course of action. The idea is to come to a settled persuasion concerning something or to be persuaded. It means to be so convinced that one puts confidence in something or someone. Paul had come to a “settled persuasion” about his future this persuasion had a permanent effect or impact on him. Peitho is a strong verb, carrying the components of confidence, reliance, and hope.
Paul shows his willingness to follow God and proceed with his life regardless of what God’s decision was for him. If he was to remain, he would send Timothy and Paul would continue to minister to those around him in prison. If he was released he would go to Philippi to minister to the church there. Either way he was going to be used by God. In our lives we can be used by God no matter where we are. Yes, we can have plans and preferences, but are we willing to go and serve/minister where He wants us to? Often it doesn’t look like where we want to go, but it is always where He wants us to be, and ministering to people He puts in our path.
J Vernon McGee wrote the following, asking the question many of us ask when we consider this:
“Shouldn’t we have plans? By all means we should make plans, but those plans always should be amenable to the will of God. We should be willing to change them. We should be willing to shuffle things around. When Paul went out, he did not have a rigid schedule for his missionary journeys. He went as the Lord led him. We see in the Book of Acts how the Lord just practically detoured him on the second missionary journey. Paul was going down into Asia; the Spirit of God sent him over to Europe. He didn’t know he was going to Europe—he didn’t have a visa for Europe—but in that day he didn’t need a visa. He went where the Holy Spirit led him.” May his tribe increase!”
Warren Wiersbe writes:
“There are two extremes we must avoid in this important matter of seeking God’s will. One is to be so frightened at making a mistake that we make no decisions at all. The other is to make impulsive decisions and rush ahead, without taking time to wait on the Lord. After we have done all we can to determine the leading of the Lord, we must decide and act, and leave the rest to the Lord. If we are in some way out of His will, He will so work that we will finally have His guidance. The important thing is that we sincerely want to do His will (John 7:17). After all, He guides us “for His name’s sake” (Ps 23:3), and it is His reputation that is at stake.”
Hope is always a good thing, especially when coupled with trust.
Dead Man Walking 
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