image by Patheos
In a recent conversation with God about some significant health issues I said, “You’re God, I’m not. I’d love to live long enough to take care of Sheila (my wife), and to write the family historical novel. I’m basically asking, keep me here as long as I’m useful to you and others for your purposes. Just do what you know is best.” That made me think of Paul writing to Philemon about Onesimus, an escaped slave who came to Christ, “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you” (Philemon 10-12). The name Onesimus means “useful,” in an intriguing word play.
That prompted another thought. If God kept us alive as long as we’re useful to him, how long would we live? That led to another: what does it mean to be useful to God? After pondered this for over a month, these three facets make up a gem of a life, with significant responsibilities.
How useful are we to God with our gifts and talents? “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus” (1 Peter 4:10-11). We become useful to God when we serve others in a purpose and manner that brings praise to God. Yes, we take care of our needs, but also others.
How useful are we with our material goods? “Jesus told his disciples: ‘There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions’”(Luke 16:1). God gives us the use of material things but retains ownership, and we give account to him on how we used them. Do we use them for kingdom purposes along with our needs?
How useful are we with our faith, our words about Jesus? “I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will be saved yourself” (Ezekiel 33:7-9).
We cannot be held responsible for results, but do we intentionally tell others about Jesus in a gracious manner?
May God call me, and each of you, Onesimus.
Kick Starting the Application
How well do you intentionally use your gifts and talents and faith to impact others for God’s kingdom? Have you pondered the reality that all we have truly belongs to God? How can you better become Onesimus?