While reading in Philemon this morning I was reminded of what a security conference speaker said last year. He said—actually challenged us—to Google our church and our own name. He said we should do it every month. The reason I was reminded of it while reading the letter to Philemon is because Paul basically gave a Google report of Philemon. He wrote, “I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints….” Paul gave a glowing testimony of Philemon throughout the letter. “For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” Toward the end he mentioned, “Having confidence in your obedience….”

 

It’s been several months since I Googled my name—will do it later today. Maybe I’m reluctant to do this exercise because I’m afraid of what I will find—or more accurately, afraid of what I won’t find. I don’t think I’ll read glowing comments about my love and faith or that the hearts of others have been refreshed through me. There probably won’t be any record of my obedience to Christ.

 

Oh, I didn’t mention that the reason the speaker challenged us to Google monthly was so that we could correct mistakes we found about ourselves. I’m still breathing and the blood is pulsing through my veins (hopefully unrestricted by plaque and cholesterol buildup) so I have time to make some changes to my Google resume.

 

What am I saying? What Google reports doesn’t concern me nearly as much as what God would report about me. But then, I’m not sure God would write about me what Paul wrote about Philemon. Since I’ve not assumed room temperature yet, there’s time to make some changes in God’s Google account of me. Guess what? The same is true for you. Our life’s not over, we still have time to write the final chapter of our life.