Dry as a desert. It takes living in one to appreciate the truth of that statement. I've lived in an arid climate the past few years, and one truth is abundantly clear: any green vegetation that exists here is due to irrigation. This is an inhospitable environment, devoid of sufficient rainfall to produce lush greenery that is so characteristic of areas of abundant rainfall. Water, therefore, is a precious resource, and the refreshment that a cold bottle or glass of water brings on a hot, dry desert day is especially valued by us desert dwellers.

Vital as water is to the refreshment of thirsty bodies in a dry land, refreshment for the heart and soul is essential to our existence on the deepest level. And it was from this deep thirst that the apostle Paul appealed to a brother in the Lord:

"Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ " (Philemon 20)

The deepest thirst of our lives can only be satisfied by refreshing from brothers and sisters in the Lord who are vitally connected to the springs of living water found uniquely in Christ. When our souls are parched and desperate for refreshment, there are those in the family of God near to us who ladle out cool refreshment from the fountain of Christ that revives and renews.

I'm reminded of my personal times of deepest spiritual thirst, and of those who brought cool refreshment that satisfied my soul like nothing else could. These are people who were standing especially close to the well of living water, and who shared refreshment from Scripture as it had personally refreshed them. They were like precious irrigation on a fragile green plant in the dry desert.

In the short Bible letter bearing his name, the apostle Paul appealed to his friend, Philemon, concerning a runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus, whose name means "useful", was no doubt a valued servant in the household of Philemon. Runaway slaves were subject to severe punishment and even death if found and returned to their owners. This slave, who had become useless, was being returned to Philemon in an even more useful capacity. He was no longer a slave, but now a brother, since he had found Christ as Savior, and would be useful in increased ways. He not only could provide useful service, but now spiritual refreshment.

We are those who were once useless slaves, but who are now useful members of the household of faith. Because of the abundant refreshment we have received in Christ, we are able to refresh the souls of those who are thirsty at the deepest level.

May our desire and prayer this day be to be useful to at least one other person in refreshing their soul, and may we in turn be refreshed through this act of mercy and service.

Steve