Philemon 15-16

New International Version

Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

For Meditation 

He had become a notorious thief in our neighborhood, a young man his father loved. However, his character brought dishonor to his name. When the father found the son’s journal containing all the houses he had broken into, he arrested him and handed him over to the police. In jail, Tande got converted to Christ and cleaned up. Now married and with a beautiful family, Tande’s pain is that his father did not live to see his transformed life in Christ and his family. He thanks his father for rescuing him from potential death by sending him to prison. His separation from his parents was difficult, but it yielded for him eternal life.

Onesimus stole from his master and ran away to Rome, where he met the Apostle Paul and got converted. After some discipleship, Paul sent him back to Philemon, his master.

In a letter of appeal Paul wrote on behalf of Onesimus to Philemon, we read these words:

“Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (Philemon 1:15-16).

 God has a purpose for everything—for a young thief sent to prison by his father and a runaway slave Paul met in Rome. Different circumstances separated them from their authority figures to the places where the providential hand of God was waiting to rescue them.

Every separation is painful, and you may be suffering through yours now. It could be a difficult divorce, a runaway child, or even death. Take heart, for God, may have a surprise for you—something unexpected that will change your life in a way you never imagined.

As Paul wrote to the Roman church:

“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

He is a loving God who delights in surprises. Keep your head up and trust in His grace.