Days of Refreshing #22

We saw yesterday in Romans 15 that Paul encouraged his readers, including us, to be refreshed by taking our eyes off of ourselves, and focusing instead on how we can serve others, especially fellow believers. After a few more thoughts he closes the chapter this way:

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.

Paul asks that they pray for him for a series of requests: first, that he be delivered from his opposers and be free to carry on his ministry; second, that he could complete his assignment of taking offerings to Jerusalem, and ultimately, that he could come and be with them. And why did he want to be with them? So he could be refreshed in your company. Paul knew there is nothing more refreshing than gathering together with fellow believers who love and encourage one another, helping prepare one another to go back into a hostile world.  Notice that times of refreshing are not the same as the typical modern vacation. Vacations can be refreshing, but they can also be the opposite. We can try doing so much we only get more worn out. We can focus so much on our pleasure we leave others out. We can think that vacation means we skip everything in our normal week, including gathering together with other believers.  If we really want to be refreshed, don't leave out the company of believers.