It Has Been Worth It All!

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Scripture

Phil. 1:12   I want you to know, beloved that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel,  13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ;  14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.

Observation

The people of Philippi had sent Epaphroditus to care of Paul. They loved him dearly and were concerned about his condition. Now, he lovingly responds to the people of his congregation, letting them know that he is tolerating all that he has experienced. Not only has he tolerated it, but he believes that God has used it to allow him to minister to more individuals. He has reached people whom he never would have reached in any other way and he has become bold in speaking the word. As far as Paul is concerned, it has been worth it all!

Application

I find Paul’s attitude quite amazing. He became consumed with the mission of God for his life. He wanted to let people everywhere and in every way know about Jesus Christ. He saw every circumstance as an opportunity to share Christ — and this is what he did. In that regard he was able to see the positive, even in negative circumstances. Had he not been imprisoned, he would not have been able to share his faith with the entire imperial guard. This was one way to reach a particular audience for Christ.

Lately it seems that every time I spend some time reading in the digital world there are blogs and articles about the state in which we find the Church. Christianity is struggling and people are very harsh and critical about the condition of worship and peoples’ attitudes toward the Church. As I read the Apostle Paul today I wondered about this letter as a blog post. I don’t see any like this — ones that look at the challenges of our day and in them are encouraged by new opportunities to tell the world about Christ.

We live in a world that is questioning everything. Why not help lead them in the direction of the one who has the answers! We live among nominal Christians who are struggling to see authentic faith. Why not pray that God will lead us into a deeper relationship with him, one in which we live out our faith on a daily basis in our actions. We may find ourselves sitting among a number of critics who are intent on pointing out the negative in Christianity. May God help us to be light and salt for these negative situations are really opportunities.

I want to be able to join the Apostle by saying it has been worth it all. I want to be able to continue to lead people in the direction of our Jesus. He has made it worth it all!

Prayer

Lord, help me to look upon all the circumstances of life as opportunities for you to be glorified. Amen.

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