Surviving Lockup: Week 2 – Do Good

Sometimes we just need to be out of commission for a while so that we can do some of the minor things that need to get done. Paul did a lot of reflecting and writing and preaching when he was locked up. One of the great things he did was speak up on behalf of Onesimus. Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who had skipped town, leaving his master behind. Because he was a slave, Onesimus was literally at Philemon’s mercy. Philemon could have done anything to Onesimus, even to the point of killing him. But Onesimus had become a Christian and a great help to Paul and so we find Paul pleading to Philemon on behalf of the runaway slave to forgive him and show Onesimus mercy. Paul was a busy man and had many important matters to attend to, but Paul had time on his hands because he was locked up. God used this downtime, prompting Paul to use his powers and influence to make a difference in the life of a wretched slave who had put his faith in God. What good can you do during this downtime?