Accordingly, although I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) Philem. 8-11
Dear Lord Jesus, what a great story these few verses tell—the story of how one man’s “useless” slave became another man’s beloved son. Stories like this reveal the beauty and power of the gospel. I see myself in this story, both as Onesimus and as Philemon.
Jesus, thank you for not giving up on me—for coming after me when I was running away from you as fast as I could, (just like Onesimus ran from Philemon). Overtly and covertly, I tried to avoid and ignore you; but you found me, you bound me to your heart through the cords of the gospel; and slowly but surely, you’re changing me. The journey from slavery to sonship hasn’t been easy, but ever so liberating, for sure.
Jesus, I also know what it’s like to be Philemon. I’ve been failed and I’ve been hurt. I’ve been betrayed and suffered loss. But forgive me for labeling anyone as useless. Paul saw something in Onesimus that Philemon didn’t see. Jesus, you saw something in me that no one else saw. Please give me the eyes of grace to see what you see in other broken people like me.
Who have I branded”useless,” with either my actual words or unspoken words? Who have I written off? Who have I named in my heart, “failure,” “worthless,” “you’ll never amount to anything,” “never to be trusted again”?
I know certain relationships call for great wisdom and clear boundaries. But I also know you’re calling me to love others as you love me—to show the same extravagant grace you constantly lavish on me—to work for peace and hope for reconciliation. None of us is beyond the need of your grace and none of us is beyond the reach of your grace. So very Amen I pray, in your chain-breaking name.