REFRESHMENT
Read 2 Timothy 1:16
This week I met up with a man who would by an outsider’s observation be just plain difficult – difficult to understand, difficult to talk with, difficult to help. To be honest, they wouldn’t be that far off. A few days earlier we entered a restaurant, I could not help but wonder what people might think of us, and what kind of service we might get. Twenty-five years ago I probably would have been embarrassed to be with someone like this or to be associated with such destitution. Had I outgrown that pettiness?
Thinking about today’s verse, it occurred to me that Paul praised Onesiphorus for his not being ashamed of him, but going even further by being a refreshment to him. Onesiphorus was not afraid to be associated with Paul. He searched high and low for Paul to be an ice cold drink on a hot, hot day. As I continue to minister to this man, it seems the challenge will be for me to be unashamed of him and go the extra mile to be a refreshment to him. Today I will be seeing this man in the midst of what has been another difficult few days for him. As I think about meeting him, I wonder how I might be a refreshment to him. I wonder as his situation declines how I might lighten his load and be a light in his dark world. One thing is for certain, carrying another’s burdens doesn’t have to come with a groan. We can choose to refresh those who could really use it.
How about you? Is there someone you know who needs some refreshment? Is there someone who maybe has certain things about him or her that might be a little (should I say) embarrassing? What can you do to help bring a smile in the face of a difficult situation?