Daily Journal: 20 September

Refreshment

“Refreshment” is such a wonderful word. Refreshment can feel light and frothy, but it can also be deep and healing. Being able to bring refreshment to others is a gift in any type of relationship.

In reading the short, personal letter from Paul to Philemon in the New Testament, I am impressed by how layered it is. The letter has the purpose of reconciling a situation that was a bit tricky. It was addressing a personal issue of restoration alongside a cultural issue of inequality, running parallel to this new way of thinking and living that the Gospel brought to believers.

Paul begins with this wonderful intention of bringing refreshment and encouragement, with the hope of eliciting a refreshing response.

Philemon verse 7

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

How beautiful, to first express gratitude for the encouragement Philemon had been, to affirm Philemon’s relationship by the term, brother, a person in close connection and unity, and finally to acknowledge that the good Philemon had been doing in the lives of others had been seen. That does a lot towards establishing unity and one heart in a relationship.

Paul’s gentle communication laid the ground work for the attitude he was wanting to remind Philemon of as he made a potentially contentious request.

Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Gentleness is needed in refreshing. It’s easy to be provocative or commanding, like Paul could have been. However, the framing of expectation in gentleness and intention of partnership in their common belief toward the goal of restoration, shows the maturity of Paul’s leadership.

Jesus teaches us this humility that we are to emulate, for the sake of having ease within our hearts, and so have peace and equality in relationships.

Matthew 11:29 (NLV)

Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.

Being a peace-maker in gentleness (different to being a peace-keeper for the sake of not rocking the boat) is what refreshment is all about.

In bringing gentle refreshment in his words, Paul attempted to establish gentle refreshment in the relationship of others. We can learn a lot from that.