OnFire Encouragement Letter
Hi Folks:
Mark made the speed stacks team for his school, ranked #2 behind a girl from grade 6. Now we await word about the date of the competition. We leave on the 16th for a trip to Ottawa and won’t get back until the 22d. We hope it won’t be during that time.
We’re very much looking forward to this time away. My tank isn’t running on fumes, but its getting low. This has been my fullest spring yet. I’m into too much and will be backing out of a few commitments, but its taking time. Until then, I’m getting through and I’m refusing to take on new commitments. I don’t like disappointing people, but unless I do I’ll go nuts and I won’t finish the book. Plus, I have another idea for a book. I don’t want to look back wishing I would have finished them.
In any case, we hope our vacation time won’t conflict.
Thanks for your prayers for Shelburne. Would it be possible for a few of you to send a message saying that you are praying for Shelburne and for our church? I would read these in church and know that they would be a great encouragement to our church folks.
Blessings for your week.
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You’ve heard me talk about my timber salvaging adventures before, but for those who don’t know, my friend, Dan, and I scout around Shelburne Harbour for timbers to salvage. It started a few years ago when I told Dan about some of the large wharf timbers I had seen washed up - 12inch by 12inch, about 10 ft long. They seemed too good to go to waste laying on a salt flat somewhere, so we decided to try to get one. We loaded my 8ft red rowboat onto his pickup, and started out.
Since that day a few years ago, we’ve brought home more than 20 of these timbers. Dan has built a set of steps, a fish pond, and retaining wall with them. We’ve had a lot of fun doing this, even though we have to endure jokes about which one of us is “Nick” and which one is “Relic.”**
Last Monday Dan and I went to find two timbers he scouted. As we nudged the first, we both groaned. It was the heaviest yet. Even on rollers and with a five-foot-long bar, we could only persuade it 6 inches at a time. After 15 minutes we finally pushed it into the water and groaned again as it sank. Did we go through all that work for nothing? As we stood there wondering what to do, it surfaced, but just barely. OK, we might be able to get it home.
As we towed it, the timber did a fine imitation of a submarine. The farther we went, the deeper it plowed. To get it home we tied it to a lighter timber. Now it sits in Dan’s yard and has found a new usefulness.
In Philemon 1:10-11 Paul pleads for Onesimus based on a new character and identity as a follower of Jesus. “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.”*
Paul plays on the name. Onesimus means, “useful.” Ironic, isn’t it? Onesimus was useless as a servant, especially since he had left Philemon. But as a Christian he found a new usefulness and purpose in Christ.
Onesimus illustrates two related principles for us. First, Jesus gives us a new identity. We are new people in Jesus. Onesimus was “useless,” but now he is “useful.” Second, we find our ultimate meaning, purpose, usefulness, and fulfilment in Jesus Christ.
This brings me back to that barely floating timber. Jesus lets us be tied to him so that we can find our ultimate usefulness. In fact, unless we tie ourselves to him, we will not discover our purpose. Ever.
So, we can be thankful that Jesus comes alongside of us. And we can give back by following where Jesus leads, because he will only lead us in ways which will make us like Onesimus - useful for the Kingdom.
Hope this helps. Be OnFire.
Troy
**A reference to a popular Canadian tv series in the 70's and 80's called “Beachcombers.” The two main characters, Nick and Relic, made their living by salvaging logs from the shore of British Columbia.
May 7, 2007.
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