Value your experiences for the gospel
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what happened to me has really served to further the gospel.” – Philippians 1:12
Are the circumstances of your life advancing the gospel? Can you see the hand of the Lord in your life in such a way that the gospel has been advanced as a result of all the experiences, joys, sorrows, difficulties, and training of your life?
Paul was a tent maker by trade. But his professional life had an overall ministry purpose. For that purpose he was sometimes imprisoned and tortured. But Paul did not see these events as obstacles to his mission. Rather, they were catalysts in furthering the purpose of Christ. This revelation from Paul prevented him from becoming discouraged about his circumstances.
One day a little-known pastor living in the small African country of Benin started praying for his Marxist president. He prayed for two years. Then the Lord told the pastor to go meet this president and share the gospel with him. The President rejected the gospel, but after another such occasion, the President accepted the gospel and became a Christian. He was removed from power but this priest became his disciple. After some time this President was re-elected. Today that President is a Christian leader of a nation committed to spreading the gospel throughout his nation. One man – yet millions have been impressed by his obedience. This modern story is repeated in the lives of countless people who are willing to live for a purpose greater than themselves.
Are your work and life experiences serving to advance the gospel? What experiences has God allowed in your life that are part of His plan to advance the gospel? Ask Him to help you see your life the way He sees it. Seeing our lives the way God sees them will help us avoid despair at times when life seems to be a mystery to us.
