As I write this WORDS, I am daily attending a Cancer Centre where for 35 consecutive weekdays I am undergoing radiotherapy for cancer in my body.

The thought of driving to and from the Cancer Centre to go through a precise medical procedure that is supervised by trained staff, was not something I was looking forward to; until I read of Paul’s experiences in a Roman jail as explained in his letter to the Philippians.

Paul wrote, “And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For EVERYONE here, including the whole palace guard knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14

Prison life for Paul was anything but a dull moment. For even in prison, Paul……

• was still free to live out his calling of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
• by his example, was encouraging other Christians to speak fearlessly and boldly God’s message.
• was having an amazing impact as we read at the end of his letter. “And all of the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.” Philippians 1:22

And it was this very picture of Paul in jail, fully alive and fully free, that God used to challenge me, as I began my regular treatments at the Cancer Centre. In a critical moment the Lord spoke to me, “Rod, remember Paul in a Roman jail, still free to live out his life’s purpose. Like Paul, you will have a captive audience on 35 occasions and the Holy Spirit will be there to create opportunities for you to speak to the staff, just as He did with Paul so many years ago.

So now I look forward to my daily visits to the Cancer Centre with great expectancy and I go prepared to follow the prompts of the Holy Spirit as conversations unfold. Like the one recently with a nurse who in her consult session with me shared her life story of the death of her husband two years ago.

Paul had perspective in that he saw his life from God’s purposes and so he could write, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Philippians 2:13
I encourage you to live your life with a similar perspective and if you do, I can guarantee that you will never have a dull moment.