May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 2 Timothy 1:16-17
Dear Lord Jesus, Onesiphorus is just one of many of my brothers and sisters I’ll have to wait till heaven to meet. Being married to you has placed me in a most amazing family, and like every other family, it’s a broken family filled with broken people. But like no other family, it’s a family with a guaranteed future of whole people and perfect relationships beyond all imaginings (1 Corinthians 2:9). I praise you for paying the supreme price of your life to secure such a unimaginable eternity for your Bride.
But here’s one of my brothers I’d like to be a lot more like before we meet. Though Onesiphorus’ name literally means “bringing profit,” he didn’t have to live that way. He could have been self-absorbed… hyper-critical… a record-keeper-of-wrongs-done… a quarrelsome type… real sensitive, taking everything way too personally. In short, he could have been a real drain to be around. BUT instead… he was a source of refreshment, and according to Paul, he worked hard at it.
Jesus, make me a much more refreshing person. Fill my heart with your mercy… Give me gospel-eyes to see others as you see them… Sensitize my spirit with your Spirit. Free me from working hard just to get my “to-do-list” done, that I might work hard at bringing refreshment to others.
Jesus, please make me aware today of those who really need encouragement… some reason to hope… a concrete manifestation of care. It may be at the price of an airline ticket to find them. It may simply be a walk across the street, a drive across town… a face-to-face visit… a hug… a call… an email… a text… some small thing that will bring a profit beyond my imaging.
Jesus, you searched hard to find me and you did. You’ve broken my chains and you’ve born my shame. May I offer a refreshing taste of your kindness to others today, no matter what their chains are. So very Amen, I pray, in your loving and liberating name.
