Mission Accomplished

“I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me

has really served to advance the gospel.”

Philippians 1:12 (RSV)

Paul was in prison. His freedom had been confiscated, his ankles were shackled, and soldiers guarded him day and night. He was sore from the beatings as well as a recent shipwreck. He faced possible martyrdom. Ambitious men were preaching Christ out of rivalry and envy. Who would fault Paul if he’d responded with bitterness?

            Yet Paul’s outlook was one of optimism; Christ was being glorified. His ultimate goal was not freedom, his reputation, or his popularity. He did not complain nor even object to his chains; his greatest desire was to see the gospel preached with boldness and confidence. Though he was off the racetrack and in the pit, Paul knew he was exactly where God wanted him. Rather than count the seconds till he was back in the race, Paul preached to the pit crew and cheered on those who were advancing the gospel. His confinement was small potatoes compared to the mission being accomplished because of his chains, the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

At times, we may find ourselves pulled from the race; a hospital bed, a wheelchair, a prognosis, a loss. We might be tempted to brood or wonder about God’s plan; these are natural, human reactions. Yet God urges us to shift our attention from the here and now and fix our thoughts on the mission He’s set before us; God’s glory and the furtherance of the Gospel.

God is still at work, whether we’re out and about or stuck at home. Use your ‘prison’ to pray. Pray that God’s Word would be preached with boldness. Pray for those who are working to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As long as His mission is being accomplished, we can say with Paul, “Christ is being preached; in this I rejoice, yes, I will rejoice” (vs 18).