Philemon is a little book tucked in the New Testament right before Hebrews. If you will remember Paul wrote this book to Philemon, Paul asked Philemon to welcome back without punishment a runaway slave, named Onesimus, who had previously stolen from Philemon. He felt that he knew Philemon well enough to be confident that he would do the right thing.

The main story of this letter is not what caught my attention today as I was reading it. Instead, it was something that Paul said in his greeting. Paul tells him how thankful he is for him and that he has heard about his faithfulness and then in verse seven he says, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”

I’m sure you have heard the old joke that says everyone can brighten up a room. Some people brighten a room when they enter and others when they leave it. We all know people in both categories. Don’t we? Philemon by Paul’s account one who could brighten a room by entering it.

Now we have to ask ourselves which category we fit. Do you have a tendency to be a downer or are you known as a person of joy, someone who can refresh the hearts of the people you come in contact with every day?

There is always something to be down about if we choose to go that route but if we know Jesus there is so much more to be encouraged about. Let’s be that refreshing breath of air that shines Jesus to our world.

 “A happy heart makes the face cheerful.” (Proverbs 15:13) (NIV)