The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Philippians 1:12,
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."
Paul was imprisoned in Rome as he wrote this thank you letter to the church in Philippi. In it he reflects on the fact that although he has been imprisoned due to his apostolic activity for the Lord, there was purpose in his incarceration: the palace in Rome was now being evangelized!
It seems somewhat obvious that in order to recognize purpose in his suffering, his imprisonment, it required Paul to have a clear understanding of the purpose Paul recognized for his life. He tells his readers in Galatians 2:7-9, "On the contrary, they [the leaders of the early church] recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised." Here is Paul's recognition of God's purpose for his life: the Lord sent him as his apostle to the Gentiles.
It also seems somewhat obvious that Paul interpreted what came into his life, whether good or bad, primarily by its impact on the purpose God had given him. With a singular focus, he viewed his circumstances relative to his life's purpose. Particularly, Paul defined what he was subject to in terms of how it effected what God had for him to do. In the following chapter we read why Paul had such a view of things, "It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13.
Perhaps there is a message in this. Where many may feel tossed this way and that way by life's seeming uncertainty and happenstance, bewildered by what circumstances they find themselves in, it may be helpful to spend time in prayer to determine what it is God would have them do with their lives. And, secondly, to begin to define the events they encounter in life in terms of that purpose.
In any event, I am just amazed and struck by the notion that God works in us to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose! Just think... the Creator of all there is involves us in his purposes, giving us purpose for life!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
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