Refreshed

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.” (Philemon 4-7)

On a hot summer day, how do you feel when you step into an air-conditioned house? Refreshed. After a long day of dirty, outdoor work, how do you feel when you take a shower? Refreshed.

God wants you to have that feeling. God wants his people to feel refreshed. Yet, as great as air-conditioning and showers are, those feelings of refreshment don’t last long. God wants you to constantly feel refreshed. How? Through your faith in Jesus. Trusting in Jesus is like air-conditioning for your soul. Knowing that your sins are forgiven is like a cleansing shower for your heart. God wants his people to be constantly refreshed in Jesus.

So do you know what you need? Other Christians. You need to be in contact with God’s people. Paul did! His Christian friendship with Philemon gave him great joy and encouragement in the Lord, even as Paul was chained as a prisoner in Rome. Philemon had a gift for this. He had a God-given gift to show love for God’s people and refresh the hearts of other Christians. You need other Christians!

It can be tempting to think that you can be a Christian all on your own. It’s certainly true that you can read God’s Word and grow in your faith all by yourself. But you’ll be missing something: Christianity is meant to be a partnership. Christianity is meant to be a family. The Christian Church is meant to be a gathering of brothers and sisters in Christ who love and encourage and refresh each other in the Lord.

There are Christians who could be incredible encouragers to you as you face the struggles of life. Surround yourself with them. At the same time, there are Christians who need you to refresh their hearts. Look for them. When you rejoice in the partnership you have with other Christians and deepen your understanding of every good thing that we share, do you know how you’ll feel? Refreshed.

Dear Jesus, you never meant for any Christian to face life alone. Thank you for the partnerships that you give us in your church. As we deepen our relationships with each other, refresh our hearts in you. Amen.