I'm not in prison, but sometimes I feel like a prisoner. Only my jail cell does not have steel bars and an extremely large roommate. The prison I spend so much time in is called fear. In the book of Philippians, Paul tells me that Christ wants us to live with confidence leading to joy regardless of any and all circumstances... yet far too often I instead live with worry leading to frustration (and his ugly twin brother, anger).
But when Paul wrote this amazing little, four chapter letter - he was in an actual prison. And we're not talking Folsom Prison either... we're likely talking about a dark, dank horrendous place where prisoners had their ankles in heavy chains. There was no television, no outside time, no education program... from what I can gather, it was a terrifying and utterly depressing place to be held against your will.
Yet Paul told us to be joyful... not only did he tell us... he WAS joyful even though his immediate circumstances seemed rather hopeless. How could he be so lighthearted... so full of life and vitality... so joyful while sitting in a place of such pain and anguish?
Because - even though he was physically in that dark prison cell, he was spiritually in the presence of God Almighty. Somehow, Paul was so caught up in the reality of Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior... his passionate love of God overwhelmed the very suffering of his body. Paul had faith that was so utterly real and powerful, he was no longer capable of worrying or being fearful. Prayer had become more than a simple "conversation with God"... somehow, it lifted Paul out of that prison cell and transported him into the presence of Jesus - and joy bubbled out of him like he was the guest of honor in a plush palace suite!
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
Oh, God... teach me how to pray like Paul. Help me to trust you even to the point of experiencing pure joy in the midst of life's challenges, frustrations and downright scary moments. Help your children offer up prayers of praise and worship that mysteriously, yet powerfully raises our mind and spirit out of the evil of this place, and opens our eyes to the reality and beauty of your glorious kingdom come. Make us whole again, Jesus... even if for a mere moment to connect with your holy love. Please, I pray, come in your fullness and displace worry at the center of our lives. Amen.
i absolutely love Philippians, i feel it's an oft' overlooked book, but it contains so much joy and and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great to read this, it is something we all need to be reminded of minute by minute! Excellent timing Jeff, it is what we are studying thatwe need to be plugged in to God's power always.
ReplyDeleteTed