DAY FIVE: Friday
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.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Phil. 1:12-18 ESV)
The word “gospel” means good news. And my good news is so good that nothing can stop it. Nothing.
Every time it looks like darkness has won the day, my light comes shining through. Every time you think it’s time to sing the blues, I’ll give you a reason for singing praise. I take the baddest times and do the best things with them.
This is hard to see at the moment. Up close and personal it’s foggy. Unclear. Uncertain. But get on the other side of the next bump in the road, and you’ll see my handiwork clearly. Take a few steps back and the image comes into focus. You’ll see how I make beautiful things out of dust. How I bring beauty from ashes.
So when the storm comes, stand your ground. When fear pounds at the door, fix your courage. Because others are watching. People around you will know how you responded to this trial. You may think you’re all alone. But no one ever truly suffers alone. And your reaction to this challenge can inspire them to greatness. They will want to face their pain the way you faced yours.
And rejoice. That’s right, rejoice. It sounds crazy. But you’ve got as much reason today to laugh as you do to lament–so laugh. Because I’m still in charge. I’m still on the clock. And my news is still good.
Grace and peace,
Jesus
