Years ago, my wife's grandparents would take us dancing at a country club where they were members. There was a live band led by an older gentleman with whom they were friends. We knew him as Mr. George. He was a slight gentleman, always quick with a smile and kind words when he came to our table during the band's intermissions.

One night, as Mr. George walked over, my wife's grandfather said, "Andy, did I ever tell you that Mr. George landed on Normandy Beach during D-Day?" My jaw dropped. Being a Marine, I was immediately enthralled and asked Mr. George to tell us more of his story. For the rest of the intermission, he regaled us with an epic tale of his larger-than-life exploits. He left home at 18 and traveled to New York City, where he eventually got to play in the legendary Benny Goodman Orchestra. Like many others, he enlisted in the Army when American involvement in the war was inevitable. He did indeed land on D-Day before fighting across Europe and ultimately liberating Paris. Like others of his generation who made it home, he more or less picked up where he left off.

I will never forget the feeling when Mr. George walked away from our table. All these evenings we had spent dancing, we were doing so in the midst of a quiet hero who had shaped the world, yet few would ever know who he was.

There's a quiet hero in the Bible from whom we can learn much.

He isn't mentioned very often, and most people couldn't recall his name. However, he played a significant role in the New Testament narrative. His name is Tychicus, and he has a lot to teach us.

In Acts 20, we learn that Tychicus is traveling with Paul near the end of Paul's missionary journeys. In both 2 Timothy and Titus, we learn that Tychicus delivered Paul's letters to the churches Paul was writing to. But in Ephesians and Colossians, we get a better picture of who Tychicus is, and it's one that should encourage us.

"Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me." - Colossians 4:7

Paul gives us three simple but powerful descriptions of Tychicus. They serve as spiritual goals that we, as Christ-followers, should aspire to.

First, Tychicus was called a "beloved brother." What has to happen for someone who is not your sibling to become a person you treasure as if they were? Paul and Tychicus lived together, invested in one another, and experienced good times and trials. A deep bond developed.

Do you have anyone who has become as close to you as a beloved sibling? Are you that person for someone else? God created us to be in community with one another. Being a Christ-follower means investing in meaningful relationships.

Second, Tychicus was a "faithful minister." Tychicus was faithful. The way the word "minister" is used here implies that he wasn't just ministering alongside Paul but also ministering to him. Don't you want to be known as a faithful friend who not only is reliable but is spiritually ministering to others in your life? It doesn't happen by accident. It takes intentionality and a certain level of spiritual maturity. But it's a worthy goal to pursue.

Finally, Tychicus was a "fellow servant in the Lord." The word servant is Paul's favorite description of himself. He often described himself as someone indebted to God. When Paul says this of Tychicus, this is high praise. Tychicus shared Paul's commitment to serving God and the work that the Lord had called them to, something that couldn't always be said for Paul's other companions.

Life isn't easy. Paul knew this better than we do. In many of Paul's tough times, Tychicus was there. He was a quiet hero.

Tychicus is a fantastic spiritual role model for us. He served in the shadows. The average person will never mention his name as a hero of the faith. But he served faithfully. He invested himself in the lives of those whom he served with. And he was committed to the work the Lord had called him to.

These are worthy spiritual goals to aspire to. Let's strive to be quiet heroes, people who shape their lives to fit the example of Tychicus.

This article originally appeared in the Good For You Newsletter, Vol: 15.

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To Be A Quiet Spiritual Hero

There's a quiet hero in the Bible from whom we can learn much.

Life isn't easy. Paul knew this better than we do. In many of Paul's tough times, Tychicus was there. He was a quiet hero.