I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.
(Philemon 10-11 NLT)
The name Onesimus means “useful.” In his letter to Philemon, Onesimus’ owner, Paul told Philemon that Onesimus was once useless, but after becoming a Christian and helping Paul in prison, he had become useful, thereby living up to his name. God has called all of us to be an Onesimus. We can become one by doing what Onesimus did–serving God by serving His children. Only God can give meaning to our lives and make us useful.
Serving God makes us useful.
Rising with the Son 