Put it on My Account

   I spent fifteen years in the retail business before I led my first church. Each of these businesses had in-store charge accounts. Oftentimes one of the customers would bring a friend or family member in to buy something for and would state; "Put it on my account." What a blessing it is to have someone come beside you and in essence make payment for something you really need in life.
   This happens in life a great deal between friends; particularly when someone's life has been hijacked by the chaos brought on by personal sin. Few things hurt worse than having to deal with the consequences of your sins, but if you have to deal with those same consequences alone - that's pain. But when someone comes alongside you, even just to be present and extend a gracious hand of support in dealing with those consequences - what a blessing! Because what they are saying is - "Put that on my account - I believe in you!"
   In a strange and providential way, a guy named Paul had become friends on Facebook with a guy named Onesimus. One day, Paul pulled up One's Facebook page and noticed they had one 'mutual friend' - Philemon. Later Paul chatted online with One about Phil, One told him how he had been in business with Phil and things went south and how he had shanked Phil. In the course of time, One became a Christian and a great friend of Paul but he also needed to make amends for his past. In a stroke of grace, Paul asked Phil in a very personal letter to "accept" One back and to charge whatever One owed Phil to his own "account"; all in hopes of seeing "restoration" occur.
   We don't know the end of the story, whether Phil blocked Paul's news feed or even de-friended him. But nonetheless, Paul was there for both One and Phil, interceding. So let me ask you - who is the 'One' you need to be there for today? Who is currently having a very difficult time who could use a friend? I want to encourage you to get beyond Facebook and Twitter and consider being that friend…

In Christ!