Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Romans 16:12
Our world can often feel like it's moving at 100 miles per hour, so let us take a moment to pause, reflect, and be refreshed by God's word each day. All Salvos are welcome to access and utilise the resources on this Soul Space page. Each week there will be a new weekly theme for you to engage with.
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Romans 16:12
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Romans 16:12
How many times have you been served by the same barista, or librarian, checkout worker or cleaner and have not known their name? Perhaps you have a colleague or customer who you have worked with for years and yet you still don’t what to call them?
If it’s the first time you’ve heard the names mentioned, 'Tryphena and Tryphosa', you would be among good company for most Christians. Despite so few women being named in the Bible compared to their male counterparts, we still seem to miss the instances they do appear.
Perhaps it’s the uncertainty of how to say and spell their names, too? Have you ever stumbled over a friend with a name from another country, or been uncertain of its pronunciation? Have you met someone who has changed their name from its original form to something more ‘easy to say’ for a Western audience?
There’s so much power in naming and people’s names. Jesus called people by their names. Jesus calls us by our names. Jesus uses his own name to give to us, as power and hope and healing.
"I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' " 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied." - Acts 22:7-8 NIV
This week, try and learn the name of someone new in your neighbourhood or community. See the power and dignity that comes into someone’s face and demeanour when you use their name for the first time. Thank them, by name, for the way they serve and what they do. It might just be the start of something beautiful.
𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭𝟲:𝟭𝟮
𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗮, 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱.
Spend some time today and this week listening for people’s names in conversation, meeting, saying them aloud. Spend time praying by name for people in your neighbourhood. If you don’t know any, go and find out one name and pray for them!
Conversations about the forgiveness of Jesus can happen anywhere. Major Gavin Watts reflects that sometimes these are in the most unlikely of places.
Jesus, you called me by name. Forgive me for the times I take others in the community for granted, or let my own fear or shyness stop me from connecting with those you call me to name and bless, bless and name. Make me bold and caring.