Be a refresher
“The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;” 2 Timothy 1:16
It’s hard to believe that there were some of Paul’s friends that were ashamed of him. Ashamed that he was in prison. Even though he was suffering persecution for preaching the good news, some looked at his predicament with pride and judgment. This man who had the greatest ministry of all time next to Jesus had “friends” that were embarrassed and ashamed of him. If I think about it, I wonder how I would have felt. I consider if I have ever had friends who were in a tough place and I withdrew from them. I hope not, but it is still something to watch for.
Paul also speaks of a friend that refreshed him. Onesiphorus refreshed him by visiting him often in Rome and in Ephesus. He brought Paul encouraging words about the churches and was there to cheer him on in his ministry. Paul gives us a hint of how this was accomplished at the beginning of this section in verse 13. He tells Timothy to hold to a pattern or consistency of speaking sound words, or words that line up with the Word of God that Paul taught him. He says this is the way to stay in faith and love and not follow the example of those who turned away from Paul’s ministry.
We can be a refreshing to those around us still today. Whether it is by visiting a friend or speaking words of encouragement and scripture to them. Visiting and calling those who may be up against something or even just stuck in the ruts of daily life. Our reaching out and connecting with them may make all the difference in what they accomplish in this life.
Today I want to encourage you to refresh others. Either by visiting, meeting or calling, take time each week to purposefully encourage at least one person and make a difference in their life. This is a good place to start in ministry. Even if your schedule is demanding, if you make a concentrated effort to reach out and touch another life, you will not only be refreshing their world, but it will also make a difference in your world too.
Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 1:13-18
The Daily Dose 