Scripture:  Philemon ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Observation:  Onesimus was a run-away servant Paul met in Rome.  When I read this short book, a short poem comes to mind:  Fuzzy-wuzzy was a bear.  Fuzzy-wuzzy had no hair.  Fuzzy-wuzzy wasn’t very fuzzy wuz he?  Onesimus was a great name for a servant because it means “useful.”  But Onesimus had run away and now was not useful to Philemon.  Useful wuzzn’t very useful wuzz he.

Application:   It is a lesson God has emphasized to me so many times.  A faithful servant is a useful servant.  If I am not useful, I am not faithful.  And as long as I am obedient, I am useful.  And as long as I can pray, I can be useful.

Prayer:   Lord, “To be used of you, to sing, to speak to pray.  To be used of you to show someone the way.  I long so much to feel the touch of your consuming fire.  To be used of you is my desire.” (Audrey Meier)   Amen.