Recalling Service to the Lord

Scripture: Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house. Philemon 1:1-2

Observation: Paul opens his letter to Philemon, in which he will ask Philemon to receive his runaway slave Onesimus as instead a brother in the church, with a greeting not just to Philemon, but to Apphia and Archippus, and the church in their home. This led me to do some other research today.

Philemon is in Colossae ... it is therefore possible he is one of the key leaders (THE leader?) of the Colossian church. Apphia is clearly a member of his household, and therefore it is very likely she is his wife. Likewise, Archippus is also a member of the household, most likely the son of Apphia and Philemon though perhaps some other relative such as Apphia's brother. There is a church history that states Archippus later became the leader of the church at Laodicea, which is one of the "seven lampstand" churches to whom John writes the letter of Revelation. There is also a tradition that all four of these people - Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus - were executed by the Romans under Nero for their faith.

Whatever the case this family and their place in church history, there is no doubt that they were strong and active believers. Paul, arguably the most active apostle of the age, addressed Philemon as not just a friend, but as a 'fellow laborer' who without question led some kind of church that met in his home. Philemon was more than just someone who had met Paul, and whose former slave was now a Christian ... he was a leader of the church, and someone Paul felt comfortable would respond in love and faith to his letter.

Application: As I have been thinking about my position lately, I find this fact to be motivating ... while we have no idea what Philemon 'did' as a profession, we do know is position in the church. This is ultimately all that matters. It is, in fact, from just this little knowledge that church traditions may ascribe even greater standing upon Philemon's entire household (there are feast days in the Catholic church for them).

I spent last night as a "church leader" hosting others. Tonight, I will "host" an Alpha table. I will spend at least two other days/evenings this week serving others at church. In the last seven days I have spent an evening counseling a man struggling with life, and laboring to create our annual outreach event. I began to feel 'put out' by all of this. However ... this is really all that matters. It is the rest of my life that gets in the way of this true work and the priorities of the Lord.

Someday, a great pastor my send me an email of greeting. More likely, a great church leader will send my wife or son an email of greeting, and mention in passing to say hello to me as well. Either way, I hope to be remembered someday as a person who served well in the church, and nothing else really and truly matters.

Prayer: Lord, may I have your strength today. My day will be busy and perhaps stressful, and then I will be heading into an evening where I will rely upon your Holy Spirit for wisdom and strength. May I serve you well. Amen.