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 6-7
“I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God who are present with me, who have in all things refreshed me, both in flesh and in spirit; my bonds exhort you which I bear about for the sake of Jesus Christ, asking that I may attain unto God. Abide in your unity, and in prayer one with another, for it becometh each of you separately, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop unto the honour of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Apostles. I pray you in love to hear me, that I may not be for a testimony against you, by writing among you; and pray ye for me also, who need your love in the mercy of God, that I may be thought worthy of the lot to which I press forward to attain, that I may not be found a castaway.”
Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians 12:1-3, translated by Charles H. Hoole.
For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them. These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called the Apostolic Fathers.
When a church was helpful to share resources and practice hospitality, it was common for the Apostle Paul or Ignatius to express gratitude that they had been “refreshed” by their care. What might it look like for your generosity to refresh key workers both in the flesh and in the spirit? If I were to say it in other words, this care empowers God’s servants to remain focused on mission.
We are living in hard times. People are suffering all around us. Consider seeking out God’s workers who minister to many people and ask yourself how you might refresh them so they can be agents of refreshment toward others. When we do this we multiply the impact. I know when people refresh me, it amplifies my energy and the reach of my service. Go refresh someone today!