There is blessing in adversity.
Paul’s chains represent hardship, challenges, strife — the things on this earth which make it so that life is difficult. And yet, Paul shows us a way in which those chains can be used to glorify God.
In the middle of his suffering, he saw the opportunity on how it can be used to further the name of God. Because he is locked up, others can rise and take his place. Because he is not available, others will be compelled to take up the slack.
He is not disillusioned about the earnestness of his disciples. He recognizes that some might not have the purest of intentions. But he is solid in his conviction. The Word of God remains the same, His Spirit remains true, regardless of the heart of the messenger.
Which is of course to our everlasting benefit! Here, Paul is saying that human imperfections do not spoil any part of the message of the Lord. Hubris, arrogance, self-pride, and also their opposite — self-doubt, cowardice, excessive timidity — these do not the affect the truth of the Word, nor do they besmirch, belittle, or diminish the power of His love.
In this case, the medium is most definitely not the Message.
This is why anyone can endeavor to teach His Word. If you have the heart, the intentionality, the availability, and most of all the willingness to be continuously learning, then you can teach the Word, you can share about God, you can be a part of His Kingdom.
Prayer Thank You Jesus for the life of Paul and his writings. Thank You for Your insight in preserving these words throughout millennia, so that we might know of them here and now, and live our life by them, and continuously learn with them. May we never stop reading, reflecting, examining, and experiencing our day by day life with You.
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