Philemon 1:1-7: in context

Paul opens his short, personal letter to Philemon, a beloved friend and fellow worker, along with the church that meets in his house. After the greeting, Paul tells Philemon that he thanks God for him always in his prayers, because he has heard of Philemon's love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints. He prays that Philemon's faith will become active in fuller knowledge of every good thing. And he adds a warm word: I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

The phrase that captures Philemon is this: the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you. Before Paul makes the difficult request that this whole letter is building toward, he pauses to honor what kind of man Philemon is, someone through whom other believers' hearts are refreshed. It is a beautiful thing to be known for, not for being impressive or gifted, but for refreshing people, for being someone whose love leaves others encouraged, lightened, revived. Some people drain the room; Philemon refreshed the saints, and word of it had traveled far enough to reach Paul in prison. There is a kind of ministry in simply being refreshing, in having a love that restores tired and discouraged hearts, and Paul treats it as a real and precious gift, thanking God for it. It is worth asking whether we are that kind of presence to others, whether our love refreshes the people around us or wears them down. Philemon's love had a track record of reviving hearts, and it is the first thing Paul praises. To refresh the saints, to leave people encouraged rather than depleted, is a quiet greatness the New Testament honors.

Am I the kind of presence through whom the hearts of others are refreshed, or one that drains and wearies them, and would people say, as they said of Philemon, that their hearts were revived through me?