You might be inclined not to pay much attention to this long list of greetings in Romans 16, but just have a closer look at what Paul is doing here. He is honouring people. He is singling them out, naming them and affirming them for what they have been to him. It is really easy to neglect this simple but vital practice. It is easy to just go through life benefitting from other people without acknowledging this. It is so important that we learn to honour those who have been a blessing to us in some way. Who are those people who are helping and supporting you? Who are the people who have been a positive influence in your life? Be sure to honour those people for this. It is not hard to do, and it is always such an encouragement for people to know how much they mean to you. It costs us so little. Even just simply sending a message on your phone can mean so much to someone. But also express this when you are face to face. However you do this make sure you do it often. Your greatest asset and blessing in life is the people around you. It is so easy to slip into the trap of taking people for granted (or at least appear to be doing this). Express your gratitude and honour the people around you. Tell them why they are a blessing to you. Affirm them. Who will you acknowledge, affirm and honour? Why don’t you do something about this now?
Honour at least one person today.
Read Romans 16:1-16
