“Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart” (Philemon 1:11-12).
Do you focus upon what was? Conveniently we often do. Do you think about what you had and then get mad because it is no longer yours? Whether an item of little or much worth, it makes no difference. What is your attitude of stewardship? What really does matter? Paul is asking Onesimus to think in terms of reality. His slave had been gone a long time. Only now, he knew what happened.
Do you want to take things into your own hands, or are you able to place them in the Lord’s hands? I suppose if Onesimus wanted to, he could had made a case of this. With this letter in Scripture, it appears he listened to Paul. What then? Be one who looks to the Lord and when the Lord calls for your decision contrary to what you would make without Him, honor the Lord. This is one of the lessons of this Epistle.
Lord Jesus, You always honored the Father, even unto death on the cross. You did things I cannot imagine were enjoyable, but you did them for our sake. Help me to move from being an owner of things to being a steward of things. Guide me in understanding that all things were created by You and for You. Lead me in the way of knowing that in You Lord is all hope. Amen.
