Not As I Expected

“Now 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, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:12-18)

Looking back I wonder if anyone’s life turns out as expected.

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? Perhaps there are a few who had a dream and vision for their life early on which was completely fulfilled but for most of us I imagine that as we look back life has taken different turns than anticipated. Then there are those of us who had plans for how we thought life would turn out, perhaps when college was started, when we got married, when that first job was started, etc Was there a point where you thought you knew how you saw your life would turn out? At some point or another we all have plans, yet I wonder how many of us have those plans proceed exactly how we thought they would.

Paul went out on his missionary trip expecting to plant & build up churches. I’m sure he was excited about the opportunity for him to go on his missionary trips to preaching the word and passing on the message of Christ, looking forward to the new adventures awaiting him. I also wondered if there was a part of him trying to pay penance for his persecution of Christians before his conversion. Whatever his plans and goals were, I’m pretty sure that getting arrested and thrown in prison wasn’t on his list. Yet once this took place and his plans he was able to see how, even when his life hadn’t played out as he thought it would, nevertheless God’s plan was rolled out perfectly. He was given the opportunity to preach in places that would never have hard the word of God, and his followers were able to be inspired by his example and preach without fear of their imprisonment. He even notes that there are those who are preaching from improper motives and even then the bottom line is that the message of Christ was being spread. Finally you see a recurring theme that he didn’t think his plans were denied, just delayed.

Paul was such an optimist, who was always able to find joy in his circumstances.

It is said that as Benjamin Franklin concluded a stirring speech on the guarantees of the Constitution, a heckler shouted, “Aw, them words don’t mean nothin’ at all. Where’s all the happiness you say it guarantees us?” Franklin smiled and replied, “My friend, the Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness; you have to catch it yourself.”

That means that whatever is happening around us may not appear on the surface to be like good things are happening, and it’s up to us to seek and find the joy within our circumstances. We need to ask God to show us how He is working in and around us. What we see as life not proceeding like we want it to is not a surprise to God.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)