“Remember that I’m in prison.”
Colossians 4:18
(Common English Bible)
Paul signs his
name to this letter to the Colossians, “Remember that I’m in prison.” This may
be nothing more than an explanation. As
he moves his writing instrument across the sheet, his writing looks cramped and
awkward. Paul wants his readers to remember that his poor handwriting is the
result of his wrists now bound in chains. But how suggestive that short apology
is! How often in our own exercise of responsibility do we plea difficulties? We all move through the day with difficulties.
To begin with,
there is the limitations of our health. Advanced age may limit mobility. Heart
disease, stroke or diabetes may present agonies that remain with us for a
lifetime. Chronic weaknesses make each day difficult. Even the most vigorous of
us have limits: demands of work and responsibility to the needs of loved ones bring
many sleepless nights. Limits of
physical health or emotional stamina can feel as though we have been bound in
chains.
Then there is the
limitation of opportunity. There are those who have prepared well for a life of
meaningful work. Time, money and
considerable mental application has been poured into a college or graduate
degree only to graduate – perhaps with honors – and discover a difficult job
market. Resumes are sent out and interviews are scheduled but they wait. The
waiting begins to feel like a prison cell.
There is also the
limitation of ability. The Bible makes no secret – or apology – that to some
have been given five talents, to another two and to another one. Clearly the
one-talent individual can never embark on a five-talent enterprise. Similarly,
the five-talent person eventually understands that to those who have been given
much, much is expected of them. Ambition that is unreasonable can result in the
shackles of resentment.
These
limitations, and many more unmentioned, present a constant problem: what are
Christians to do with them? Let us be sure that these limitations are as real
as the chains that constrain the wrists of Paul. And however they present themselves, we must
accept them in the present moment and look to how God intends to be purposeful
in our lives.
Paul provides
guidance. There is absent the sounds of complaining from the prison cell of
Paul. Those who visit Paul do not hear
self-pity. He had urgently wanted to go to Spain. Paul was convinced that
ministry in Spain was God’s call to him. Yet, Paul is fettered in a prison
cell. But rather than speak of what he is limited from, Paul speaks of what he
is limited to; Paul uses his chains to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to
the Roman guards who watch over him day after day.
Additionally,
Paul writes letters. His wrists may be in chains but Paul engages in a ministry
of writing letters of instruction and encouragement to struggling churches. Paul longed to preach the Gospel he loved in
Spain. Yet, no number of sermons delivered in Spain could ever have given the
Church of Jesus Christ the far-reaching treasure it now enjoys than the four
letters Paul wrote while in prison – the letters of Philippians, Colossians,
Ephesians and Philemon. It is difficult to imagine that had Paul been permitted
to preach in Spain, the church today would have been any stronger than the
ministry it received, and receives today, from these prison letters.
Joy,
Joy,
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