Mirror Paul’s attitude today and think differently about your chains.
SHAUNA: Hi, I’m Shauna with a lesson from Joni from prison.
JONI: Now, I’m not really in prison – far from it! But I can identify with the bolts and bars of a prison cell. I mean, this wheelchair is made of a lot of metal, and in a way, it's so confining. I suppose that's why a lot of prisoners write me, whether their sentence in prison is long or short. My testimonies encourage them, and they look at my bolts and bars and they understand. They get it. They know that I'm under a life sentence of paralysis. I’m not free to do many – very many – of the things I used to do. They know that I wake up every morning to the same confining circumstances, and they reach out to me because of that. And I love that!
Now, let’s look at the Apostle Paul, another prisoner, ‘cause here’s a man who understood the ins and outs of a jail cell. And even though I know nothing of the kind of imprisonment the Apostle Paul went through, I do know that I sure do like his attitude. He writes in Philippians 1:12-14 [get this], “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me [in this prison] has really served to advance the Gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the Word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Man, what an attitude! What a great perspective! I mean, Paul basically is saying, “Okay, so I'm in chains? Well, my bolts and bars help me spread the good news. ‘Cause every time they chain me to another guard, he gets an earful of the Gospel. And my imprisonment helps others to become bold.”
I've read letters from prisoners who say almost the same thing. They say, “Okay, so I'm behind bars. It’s a chance for me to draw closer to Christ.” And you know what, I can echo that. “Okay, so I'm in a wheelchair. Well, these bolts and bars give me the chance to spread the good news to anyone who experiences confinement or limitations.”
So, let me ask you, friend listening, what are your chains? Maybe you feel manacled to the kitchen sink. Maybe you feel chained to your desk with just enough slack to reach the restroom and the coffeemaker. Maybe you feel imprisoned in a difficult marriage. Perhaps you feel confined by a physical ailment, or even an emotional one. I mean, goodness, we all can name the bolts and bars that confine us, and they could easily make us feel trapped or claustrophobic from lack of freedom. We could easily resent the circumstances that hobble us, tie us down. But consider again those amazing words from the Apostle Paul about his chains. He tells us – well, actually, the Holy Spirit tells us through Paul’s writing – that, look, God has placed these confinements on you so that you could use them to help further the spread of the Gospel.
So, think about your chains. Has what happened to you served to advance Christ’s Gospel? It should. It's the platform from which God wants to work. So, may I encourage you to do what I once did so many years ago? Start not only listening but acting on God’s Word. Welcome as a friend, whatever trial is tying you down. Rejoice in whatever it is that makes you feel confined. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart, just like it says in Ephesians 1; ask him to help you see your circumstances as the very prison that can set you free and set you free in a big way. It’s how I look at my wheelchair, and I encourage you to look at your own bolts and bars the same. Let’s get Paul’s attitude. Let’s get his perspective. And let’s ask God to change our world, just like Paul changed his.
© Joni and Friends