Phm 1:1-2
Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: (ESV)
Philemon is only one chapter, twenty five verses long, but it is rich. I've been reading through it for several days and it feels like I could spend time meditating and writing on every verse. The letter is put together in three parts. The first part is personal, reconnecting with and encouraging old friends. The second part is no less personal, but it is an appeal on behalf of a new friend. The final three verses pass on greetings between common friends.
In this short letter Paul is dealing with some difficult and potentially explosive issues of broken relations, betrayed trust and dishonest gain. As he writes this letter he knows two things. First, he knows the character of Philemon, Apphia and Archippus. Second, he writes out of a deep relationship of trust that has been built with them. I'd love to know more of the back story. Why does Philemon owe Paul? How much time had Paul spent with these people and the church in their house? I may never know those things. But I do know that there was relationship.
In our mobile, digital, isolationist world I feel that we have often traded communication for relationship. We quickly pass on prayer requests, and that's a good thing. We easily inform one another about meeting times and schedule changes with a quick email, text or phone call. And that is convenient. We easily jump in our cars and cover miles that separate us in order to attend the same meetings, and that is convenient. But how much time to we take actually getting to know one another? Do we really know the character of the person sitting beside us in church, or do we only know that (s)he is polite when we exchange pleasantries?
Church is about relationship based on a common faith being lived out in a world opposed to that faith. Our busyness, our personal weariness, and our extended but superficial "relationships" often hinder us from the very thing church is supposed to be. Maybe today we need to take the time to get to know somebody.
Father, forgive me. I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to superficial relationships and allowing weariness and business to hinder those from going deeper. Today may I listen better, care more deeply and actually get to know someone.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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