“This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.”
Philemon 1:1-7 NLT
I have to say these particular verses ALL screamed at me today. When I think of all the places In my life I have had the privilege to lead, my favorite has always been when I get to be In the trenches with my team.
Maybe that's what I love most about Paul. He Is on the front lines of sharing the gospel. Paul modeled exactly what he wanted AND he didn't ask those who went with him to do anything he wasn't willing to do. He was so much In the trenches of sharing the Good News he actually got thrown In jail.
As I found myself In leadership In various capacities I always had those leaders who were so bought In to the mission they had no Idea how much their work encouraged me. No matter how much I would give and pour out, just their very commitment blessed my socks off and kept me going. There was always something about their buy-in that kept me going. That Is what I sense from Paul today as he writes Philemon.
Anytime I’ve been on a mission trip or done any kind of service work, I go there to encourage and help those Im serving however I leave feeling I was served more. This is the sense I get from Paul today. His zeal for spreading the Gospel energized and his heart encouraged. I know he
couldn't help but encourage the group to keep fighting the good fight. He saw progress and he had buy in. What leader doesn't thrive in that set in? So exciting.
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