Friday; November 15

Not long ago I was reading through the New Testament book of Philemon and came across this compliment Paul gave Philemon, “For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” (Philemon 7).  It is easy to see this as a part of a gratuitous salutation to a Christian, but  this particular reading it made me stop and reflect.  Paul, who has already given a rather lengthy definition of love in I Corinthians 13 seems to prove another insight.  Love is refreshing the lives of other people.  Now, that might not sound too spectacular, but in a world that is known for its brutal honesty and caustic criticism, doesn’t that give us cause to pause.  If we are called to love one another (and we are), are we taking the time and making the effort to refresh our fellow man?  Love can be a complex issue at times, but I also believe that we make it more difficult than it needs to be.  Basic love is simply being supportive of people.  By encouraging them and giving them help and hope, we demonstrate love. 

Let’s finish by asking a couple simple questions.  When people leave us are they exhilarated or exhausted?  Are people sad to see us leave or are they glad that we are gone?  The answer to these questions just might help us understand if we are loving people the way we are called to love them. 

Think About It!

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