This week's homework for my Bible Study included Timothy 1:15-18. Paul is writing to Timothy from prison. He spoke of those in Asia (modern day Turkey) who turned away from him with the exception of Onesiphorus who "often refreshed" him. Most of us have felt deserted at one time or another in our lives. It's like being in a desolate place with no life and no one as far as the eye can see. You were purposely abandoned. In contrast, Paul mentioned Onesiphorus who diligently sought and found him. Beth Moore asked us to recall an encounter with someone we hadn't seen in a long, long time. That friend may have said that they tried to find you but couldn't. With the assistance of the internet, it's pretty easy to find someone from our past. Basically, they stopped looking. It wasn't a priority to them. Not that they didn't care, they were just busy with life and procrastinated. This situation hit me hard. I have lost contact with many people who have been important in my life. I am guilty of losing contact with friends. I wasn't diligent in my search. The difference between this experience and Paul's is that his friend, Onesiphorus, didn't give up until he found Paul. I'm sure that warmed Paul's heart. It certainly refreshed his spirit.
There are special people in my life who refresh my spirit, too. Whenever we make time in our hectic schedules to have lunch or spend time together, I feel so rejuvenated and loved. Yet, those occasions are few and far between. I have no one to blame but myself. I wasn't deserted or abandoned nor did I desert or abandon my friends...in my heart. However, perhaps they feel deserted as Paul did. As a Christian, we are called to refresh the spirit of our brothers and sisters in Christ. For those of you I have let down, I am truly sorry. I will try to be a better friend. Is there anyone whose spirit you could refresh today? I am going to challenge myself to reach out to at least one person this afternoon. Beth Moore shared six scriptures with us and they are well worth the time to read them. Try to be a refresher to someone's spirit soon.
Spiritual Refreshers
1. Romans 15:32
2. 1 Corinthians 16:18
3. 2 Corinthians 7:13
4. 2 Timothey 1:16
5. Philemon 7
6. Philemon 20