Press the arrow to listen to Darlene Zschech lead “Here I Am To Worship” while reading today’s devotion on Onesimus.

Scripture
I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. Philemon 10-12

Observation
The greatness of Paul’s leadership is seen not by how high he climbed the ladder of authority, but rather by his willingness to lead on every life level. Onesimus was not the sort of fellow to be found in a board room or even a mail room but in the boiler room at the bottom. And yet Paul poured as much into that useless runaway slave as he did into the eldership team of Ephesus Church or at the Council of Jerusalem.

Application
My effectiveness as a leader will be seen not just in working with Timothys but also with Onesimuses. This requires me, like Paul, to treasure human value. Each person is created in the image of God and is destined to be conformed to the image of the Son. I meet them in the in between time when the greatest difference can be made. One human life is worth extravagant investment.

Prayer
Father, help me to be responsible with every person you bring into my sphere of influence. Amen.