We all need a little reminder now and then so that we get stuff done. We scribble notes on the back of our hand so we don't forget to buy garlic, or we set an alarm to call Flo in 30 minutes. Reminders work -- that's why we use them. But the strange truth is that sometimes we need nudges, notes and alarms so we don't forget to do the tasks God has called us to do.

The apostle Paul must have known this because he sent a bold reminder to a fellow believer named Archippus, in the city of Colossae. Paul wrote a letter to the entire church to refute a heresy that had cropped up. At the end of the letter, after four chapters of teaching and final greetings, Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, "Tell Archippus, 'See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord'" (Colossians 4:17).

What a bizarre postscript. If I had been Archippus and the church elders just read that letter out loud to the whole church, I would have melted in my seat. 

Obviously, he had been given a task or ministry by God and, for whatever reason, hadn't completed it. Maybe he was putting it off or not doing it completely. Maybe it was a costly calling. Maybe it meant he had to make amends with that "difficult" Christian brother. Maybe he just thought he wasn't cut out for the job. We simply don't know. What we do know is that he needed a reminder (and apparently a public one) so that he would complete the task God had given him. 

Was Paul being heavy-handed by singling out Archippus in front of the church? Maybe not. It could have been that Paul wanted to publicly affirm the calling on Archippus' life. Then Paul's statement could be read as something like: "Hey brothers and sisters, make sure you tell Archippus to keep on going with his ministry -- the one God gave him -- until he crosses the finish line." It could have been a way to make sure the church would continue to encourage and support him.

Whatever the background, there's a message here for us. Some of us need encouragement, some of us need nudges. And some of us Jonah-types need a typhoon, a giant fish and some quality time on the bottom of the ocean. But we all need reminders so that we complete the calling and tasks God has chosen us for.

So what's written on the Post-it Note God has given you today? 

"I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands" 2 Timothy 1:6