How Does Your Recommendation Read?

Daily Devotional – Wednesday, June 9, 2021

…assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Romans 16:2 (NKJV)

Writing recommendation letters can be challenging at times. How do you compose a letter for a person who has performed below average? While you want to assist, how do you hide the fact that he or she is a poor time manager, for example?

The Apostle Paul did not face such challenges when he wrote to the Church in Rome concerning Phoebe. “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea…” Romans 16:1.

Phoebe was a deaconess or servant of the church. The Romans believers were asked to “receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints” (verse 2). If it was today, the Romans would have rolled out a red carpet for Phoebe.

The church was also to, “assist her in whatever business she has need of you.” Some commentators believe Phoebe was a businesswoman. Probably she had been sent to deliver the letter to the Romans.

What is evident, though, is that she was a trusted member of her local Christian community. Paul could not help but add, “…for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” (Verse 2). Having watered others, it was now Phoebe’s turn to be watered.

If someone was to write a sincere introductory or recommendation letter on you, how would they describe you?  Would you be cited for your selfless service to God and his people?  Would you be ‘highly’ recommended to the reader(s) of the letter?

Father, may You and those around me attest that I am indeed your faithful servant.