The former televangelist, Jim Bakker, in his autobiography I Was Wrong,
tells the story of his descent into ignominy, impoverishment and
imprisonment. He lost his freedom, his sanity, his dignity, his
confidence in his faith, and eventually even his wife. Inmate 07407-058, one-time confidant to presidents, had hit rock bottom.
At his very lowest point, a prison official came to him and said, ‘Billy Graham is here to see you!’ He thought, ‘Billy Graham has come here ... to this place ... to see me.’ When he walked into the room Billy Graham turned towards him and opened his arms wide.
He
said at that moment he felt total acceptance and love. ‘I will never
forget that the man who had just been voted one of the most influential
men in the world and who has ministered to millions of people took time
out of his busy schedule to come minister to one prisoner.’ He describes
how in the midst of his depression, flu, filth and hopelessness, Billy
Graham’s visit refreshed his heart and boosted his spirit. ‘I felt as though Jesus Himself had come to visit me.’
Refreshment
means restoring strength, energy and vigor. A light snack is sometimes
referred to as a ‘refreshment’. Physical refreshment can also come, for
example, from sleep, rest, or exercise.
Paul tells Philemon that he has ‘refreshed the hearts of the saints’ (Philemon 7). Later on in the letter, Paul asks him to ‘refresh my heart in Christ’ (v.20). But how do we refresh our minds, hearts and souls?
Blessings Roxanna