Philippians 1 -- Joy Despite Frustration

It’s hard to imagine how someone like Paul, imprisoned in Rome and unable to be out among unbelievers leading others to Christ, could have such joy in his life!  Yet it oozes out from every word he writes.  What did he have to say in answer to every little thing that would set any of us off?  “It doesn’t matter.”  He didn’t let his circumstances or the actions of others dictate his happiness.  Even those people that others might have considered Paul’s rivals weren’t important to him, so long as people were led to Christ by whatever they were doing.

One particular thing he said gripped me:  “I expect and hope that I will not fail Christ in anything but that I will have the courage now, as always, to show the greatness of Christ in MY life here on earth.”

He simply wanted the courage to let Christ leak out of every pore, knowing that others would be seeing Christ through him.

Father, I want that, too.  I know that I’m not imprisoned, yet I can let frustration, more than probably anything else, lead to anything but joy leaking out of me, and when it does, others don’t see Your Son.  Please help me to see that the tedium I often feel is nothing compared to what Paul could have felt being imprisoned with a guard chained to him.  Help me never to take for granted the opportunities You give me to reflect Your Son to others.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford