Purpose 1

The first way Paul saw joyful purpose in his terrible situation was that it put him into contact with people who needed to hear the gospel.

He says in Philippians 1:12-13: I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else...

The praetorian guard was a large force of influential Roman men. Paul was shackled to one 24 hours a day for roughly two years. The guards would rotate every six hours. So Paul had contact with four guards every day, six hours each.

Since Paul's purpose wasn't to maintain comfort or privacy, but to advance the gospel, this was wonderful! He could show them the gospel with his life and explain it with his lips. And eventually the whole guard was discussing Jesus.

This brought Paul joy.

What about you? Who is in your life right now? It's no accident. I would encourage you to actually list out all the people you're in regular contact with and start praying for them.

Maybe you're shackled to that job you hate because God wants to advance the gospel among your bosses, coworkers, and clients.

Maybe you're stuck in that hospital bed because God wants to advance the gospel among the administrators, doctors, nurses, and patients there.

Maybe your misery in your current situation could be remedied by rediscovering your ultimate purpose.

Align your purpose with God's purpose for you (to advance the gospel) and you'll experience joy that transcends circumstances in God through Jesus.