Greatly Refreshed

Bringing joy and encouragement through love

Your love has impacted me and brings me great joy and encouragement, for the hearts of the believers have been greatly refreshed through you, dear brother.
Philemon 1:7 (TPT)

I’ve recently been captivated by a remarkable book in the New Testament that hasn’t received as much attention. Its powerful message has been resonating with me profoundly for the past few weeks, filling my heart and mind with inspiration and insight. It is the book of Philemon. I was excited to revisit this book as I lead a Bible Study class. I love using it with my students to help them improve their observational skills in the Bible Study Method. This book is truly exceptional for honing this crucial aspect of the method.

As I revisited Paul’s letter, verse seven truly resonated with me. Let me share the inspiring story: Onesimus was once enslaved in Philemon’s house. It is believed that he either stole from Philemon or fled from his master’s household or even both (Remember that during those times, an enslaved person was considered the property of the pater familias).

Onesimus embarked on an extraordinary journey that ultimately brought him to a life-altering moment. During this time, he crossed paths with the Apostle Paul, whose profound words and teachings ignited a remarkable change within him. This pivotal encounter led Onesimus to wholeheartedly embrace the transformative message of the Cross and place his unwavering faith in Christ. Fueled by this newfound spiritual awakening, Onesimus embraced his Christian identity with passion and dedication. It’s pretty possible that Onesimus sought solace with Paul due to the deep respect Philemon held for him, or perhaps he was drawn to seek refuge in the presence of Paul. Either way, he had an encounter with the gospel, which transformed his life completely.

At one time, the power of God worked its incredible magic: transformation. Onesimus needed to make amends: to return to Philemon and pursue reconciliation. For this reason, the Apostle Paul penned a heartfelt letter to Philemon, a cherished member of the Church in Colossae.

The Apostle Paul’s depiction of Philemon is genuinely remarkable. He vividly portrays Philemon as a devoted believer overflowing with love and compassion for Christ’s holy followers. This description evokes profound reflection. Would someone depict me as someone who deeply loves and cares for my brothers and sisters in Christ?

Our deep affection for others is revealed in our actions as we wholeheartedly attend to their needs, provide nurturing support, and actively participate in their experiences. We live in a self-centered world, leading us to believe that we should only care for ourselves and our needs. It’s all too easy for us to overlook the opportunity to respond actively and positively when we become aware of someone else’s needs. We often respond with a noncommittal, “I’ll be praying for you,” even though we have no intention of actually praying. Why? Because we are so self-centered, we have bought into the lie that we do not have time, are busy enough with our own things, and are to prioritize ourselves over others.

The Bible teaches us differently. Jesus said to his disciples:

By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:35 AMP

There appears to be a noticeable absence of authentic love and selfless concern for one another in our society. Instead of engaging in acts of kindness purely for the sake of being Christ-like, we have grown accustomed to expecting some form of personal gain or benefit when we extend ourselves to others. This mindset is not only wrong, it is unbiblical.

Let’s strive to embrace genuine love and selfless care for each other. Let’s make kindness the norm without expecting anything in return. Not only can we, but we are called to demonstrate Christ’s love and compassion to a broken, lost, and bleeding world.

The apostle Paul says, “Your love has impacted me.” I can not fathom the depth of Philemon’s practical and palpable love. The force of impression of Philemon’s love for the people was extraordinary. It unquestionably produced a significant and major effect not only in Paul’s life but also in the testimony of the Church Philemon planted. This influence had a profound and meaningful impact on their lives, guiding them in significant ways. Let’s strive to significantly impact the lives of those in our community by expressing God’s love through our compassionate and selfless acts.

The contemplation of this truth led me to a profound moment of clarity that made me ponder: “Is the sincerity of my love making a positive difference in the lives of those around me?” “Do the people around me not only see but experience God’s love through me in a practical way?” It’s genuinely inspiring to gaze at the significant impact we can have on others. Today, my prayer and desire is that Christ may be made known to a broken and lost world through genuine acts of love, mercy, and compassion. I wrote the following prayer in my Bible: “Holy Spirit, please work in me, transform my mind and heart, make me more like Jesus, and move me to love one another genuinely.”

Why should we genuinely love one another? According to the apostle Paul, it brings great joy and encouragement. Engaging in acts of pure love not only uplifts the body of Christ but also nurtures empathy in our souls! As we become increasingly attuned to the needs of those around us, our hearts overflow with gratitude towards God, recognizing that “all I have needed Thy hand hath provided.” This realization is indeed a profound and humbling blessing. The powerful stories of how God’s love transforms lives, even from people I haven’t met, fill me with joy and strengthen my faith! God’s love and its practical impact on people’s lives, bringing healing, restoration, and transformation, inspires hope and strengthens our faith. As Christians, we should be touched and move to do even more when we see God’s love manifested through tangible acts of love, compassion, and grace.

Seventeen years ago, I came across a striking book that immediately seized my attention during a leisurely browse through a local bookstore. The book was substantial, akin to a small coffee table book, and its cover depicted a poignant image of a malnourished young boy, evoking a deep sense of empathy. The title was unexpected, yet the esteemed author’s name ultimately compelled me to reach out and pick up the book, eager to delve into its pages. “On The Move” was the title; it was written by worldwide renowned rock star Bono. In it, the phenomenal lead singer of the globally acclaimed rock band U2 shares a truly inspiring and impactful message rooted in his powerful speech at the 2006 National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. His words offer a profound reflection on his faith and issue a compelling challenge to individuals of every faith to transcend barriers and unite as one.

Bono wrote the following words that still deeply resonate within me:

Love was on the move.
Mercy was on the move.
God was on the move.

I have had the opportunity to participate in church gatherings and revival meetings, where the earnest plea is for a spiritual awakening, a heartfelt desire for the Lord to work among us actively, and a humble invitation for God to move in His way and time. When we extend genuine acts of kindness to those around us, whether we have a close bond with them or not, we may not have always realized it in the past, but we are seeing God moving. When we love one another, we are creating a powerful and tangible reflection of God’s active and transformative presence through our love. We have failed to acknowledge that when we extend mercy to those who are broken, fallen, or ostracized by despair, we are witnessing God in action, for He is on the move.

The Apostle Paul provides another glimpse into Philemon’s caring nature for the people, telling him that “the hearts of the believers have been greatly refreshed through you.” This last thought has been bothering me for quite some time now. I am not that sure people could say that they are “greatly refreshed” while being around me or by something I’ve done to and for them. This thought is challenging me: If God is on the move, and he sure is, am I joining him in extending love and mercy? Am I intentionally opening new avenues for never-ending love to flow and touch lives, transforming them completely? Am I embracing mercy not as a theological concept or a religious and pious practice, but as a lifestyle that gives hope and future to those who have been cast out, those who are broken, inside and outside the church, to those who have succumbed to sin, to those who have been ostracized because the do not fit in our conception of what the Christian life should look like?

Are those with whom you spend your life feeling greatly refreshed by your words and actions?