"MY IMPRISONMENT!"

Philippians 1:12-14                       (ESV)

"12 I want you to know, brothers, that WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME HAS REALLY SERVED TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL,

13 so that it has become known throughout the WHOLE IMPERIAL GUARD and to ALL THE REST that my imprisonment IS FOR CHRIST.

14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the LORD by "MY IMPRISONMENT", are MUCH MORE BOLD TO SPEAK THE WORD WITHOUT FEAR."

The Apostle Paul found himself imprisoned when he penned the letters to AT LEAST the churches of Philemon, Colossae, Ephesus, and Philippi.  Being imprisoned is certainly not on a great many peoples "things to do list"!  But Paul understood that serving GOD sometimes entailed being out into situations where he could "BE STILL" and listen for GOD's voice and direction.  

The busyness of the world can be a subtle, sneaky thing!  We can get so caught up in what, or how, we desire things to transpire that we can't get THE message from GOD we desire to hear!  We are entrapped in "MY IMPRISONMENT" of schedules, appointments, maybe even serving others, that we neglect to LISTEN to our Creator speaking to our hearts!  According to Philippians 1:13, Paul was put into prison FOR CHRIST.  Not as much for punishment, but so JESUS CHRIST could be glorified.

Paul was imprisoned around 2000 years ago.  Yet I have grown exponentially because of the writings he offered.  GOD continues to be glorified because of the "MY IMPRISONMENT" Paul experienced FOR CHRIST!  Imagine what our lives would be if we didn't whine and cry every time we had to experience difficulties in life, but rather we understood WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME HAS REALLY SERVED TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL!  You never know, what I am writing today may be used for years to come to benefit someone needing to be encouraged.  

GOD has a plan and purpose for each of our lives!  Like Paul, we may need experience "MY IMPRISONMENT" for GOD to be glorified!  GOD can use any method to SLOW YOU DOWN.  HE chose for my brain to hemorrhage in 2007.  HE has chosen to physically imprison others.  HE can choose to any method HE likes to SLOW YOU DOWN.  "MY IMPRISONMENT" was a way HE could speak to and through the Apostle Paul.  Will you be forced to experience "MY IMPRISONMENT"?  It is better to listen to HIM without having HIM intervene, if you know what I mean!