by Josh Eason

Philippians 1:12-18

Many of us have never been in prison or maybe our only knowledge of prison life is what we’ve seen on TV or in the movies. I know we all have felt kept away from the ones we love at some point or can’t always be where we want to be. That is where we find Paul in Philippians 1:12. Paul’s only concern while he is in prison is that the gospel is being advanced. Paul’s vocation is the gospel, he is being held captive for it, and yet his joy overflows.

The chains of being over committed financially, the shackles of time committed to work, the restraints of our own fears. These are our prisons. We have the captivity thing figured out, but what about the joy? I heard a preacher once say, “Joy is the response when we see God at work in our life.” Perhaps if we spent less time putting ourselves in prison and more time advancing the gospel, encouraging others and praying for courage to face our circumstances we would feel the same joy Paul does.

I am encouraged by the fact that God has no restrictions. He can work through those of us locked up by our mistakes. God’s Spirit works through any and all circumstances. Instead of praying for our troubles to go away, let’s take a note from Paul, and pray for courage. The courage to put our own “fix it” agenda aside and allow God to look after things so that “…Christ is preached.”