Plastic wrap…containers…lids…tape….foil…rubber bands—these are my tools in the quest for fresh leftovers.  My timeless efforts appear oxymoronic: it often seems I never intend to actually use the contents I have so carefully locked in.  This is born out in the continual discovery of lost items in the recesses of the fridge.

It is not for lack of containers, since I can easily create towers of recycled plastic vessels.  Nor is it for dearth of lids (though often a “fitting” mate is nowhere to be found).

Philemon knew nothing about Tupperware, or of imprisoned meatloaf gone terribly green.  He did, however, know how to “refresh the bowels—the very inner parts of the body—of the saints”.  This is the same word used in Matthew 11:28 when the Lord says “Come unto me all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest”—I will refresh you.

The Lord used Philemon (someone whom Paul had led to the Lord) to show love to Paul (and others) and so give joy and encouragement back to him.

But, Philemon had first been refreshed by Christ.  Paul says that the more Philemon abided in and received refreshment, the more he would understand the Lord’s blessings, and would then more eagerly share with others (v.6).

Are you in need of refreshing from the inside out?  Have you recently been refreshed by someone else’s love? Have you just shared your refreshment with another?  Don’t lock it in—recycle it by returning to Christ and acknowledging “every good thing which is in (you).” You can only refresh others as you have been refreshed.