I am a prisoner for Christ… this is a phrase (or something close to it) that Paul uses at least 14 times in his letters in the New Testament. He is in prison because of his faith, not because he has hurt someone, or stolen something… but simply because he believed and lived in a different way than the Romans or Jews did of that day.
With all the hurricanes, natural disasters, and terrorist bombings around the world it got me thinking of my life. I am not in prison, and I have my home and family safe. So does God love me more? Am I more #blessed than other people? I would say no to both. Listen to what Paul says…
“Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)
He doesn’t look to the cause or meaning behind his situation, or compare his situation to others’ in this passage. Instead he begs us to live lives worthy of our calling. In other words, wherever I have been planted, there is a calling on my life to live for God right here and right now. In fact it seems that I am called to look more to how I can serve God where I am, rather than complain about or seek out a purpose. Maybe in serving God I find purpose that I didn’t see before. Maybe… just maybe… those of us not in prison for our faith, homeless because of natural disaster, or injured because of the hateful actions of others have a high calling. Not to enjoy a close parking spot, a week of peace, a win by our sports team or anything else that seems to go our way, but instead to use this time of ease and plenty in our lives to impact the lives of others.
Are you in prison? Are you living through a natural disaster? Are you injured? Is your life falling apart?
NO? Maybe you and I should do something about it… pray, sacrifice some time and energy to a cause or a need, give some money to disaster relief or Ride for Refuge because “you have been called by God” to live a life worthy of that calling right here, and right now.