Still My Onesimus

It was barely two months ago when I confided in the Lord and took in my cousin brother to join and help in the official service vacated by his brother, knowing fully well his background and the critical condition as a man who used to indulge in unhealthy habit of intoxicating drink. To me it was more of grace rather grade. He had zero score on grade from all angles, academically and even otherwise, but in the eyes of grace, he is a precious Onesimus to me. After passing through the required fellowship he came on board to serve as an office staff, in fact, more of a helper on clerical job.

Indeed, he has been such a help to us officially and in family too. But the day I set out for another official trip. barely a week ago I received a news of his going to his past habit of drinking. It was a surprise to me at the first hearing though I had the sense that something went wrong as I could discern from another staff that he did not report for office duty. Later, my wife confirmed it and for few days the attack of the enemy was ferocious. I was in the midst of literature tour and back home was this incident. Many thoughts lingered, and as I and my wife brought the matter to prayer, the Lord just shepherded me to commit him to the Lord and support him in prayer. Each succeeding report went from bad to worst. But I could only pray.

The Lord gave wisdom to my wife to handle the matter wisely in my absence. And I stood with her in prayer. There were thoughts ranging from punishing him to firing him, but the ultimate and timely speaking of the Lord was to simply shepherd him. He is still my Onesimus.

Now, deep within me, my heart is to encourage him and supply him more with the divine life supply that he could fully overcome all the attacks of the enemy. Some wise disciplining might happen but most importantly is the supply of the divine life that swallows up death. Life overcomes death, love overcomes hatred, and, light overcomes darkness. Praise the Lord!

Come what may, there is never a hopeless case in the eyes of the Lord than the devil himself. All cases are hopeful, and the Lord can restore His children from worst to good and then to best. In Christ and with Christ, all is well and He will make it best with a proper spirit and proper attitude and shepherding.