“I am confident in the Lord”.  These are words Paul said in a letter to the church of Philippi in Philippians 2:26;  talking about his return to them , confident that in spite of his circumstance of being in jail, God had a plan for his release.  He had endured “sorrow after sorrow” but witnessed God showing mercy to him and the believers of the church by sparing one of their own, Epaphroditus, from near death (Phil 2:27), who came to help Paul in his time of need.   In spite of his circumstances, Paul was still encouraging others and feeling the bonds of brotherly, Christ-like love through his prison cell.  It even became clear “throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that (he) was in chains for Christ.”  Paul’s rejoicing and courage (Phil. 18 – 20) was a result because he believed that he was advancing the gospel, despite his circumstances or location.
Not all of us are called to be Susan B. Anthony, Mrs. Martin Luther King, Jr., or even part of Hillsong United or the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – no matter how many times we practice in the shower.  Instead, we go about our daily lives, thinking that we aren’t making a difference, allowing the enemy to already defeat us before we even try.  Perhaps we simply just ask ourselves, how can I make I difference for the kingdom of God, but that is as far as the question goes.  We just ask the question because we have grand ideas of missions trips and reaching our to inner city kids but money, time, or lack of where to start hinders us past the initial the question.  And that’s where the problems is.
Paul knew that his mission field was wherever he was and he stuck to one message – Jesus Christ.  And he did it with two things – rejoicing and courage.  Yet, we can not forget to add to this that Paul also had knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Paul could not have said I am confident in the Lord, and that he would rescue him, unless Paul had knowledge of him.  I would not say I am confident in Beyoncé and  that she will send a limo for me in 2 weeks to take me on a girl’s weekend to New York City.  That would be crazy!  I don’t know her!  But Paul did know Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  Paul’s knowledge came from a mix of his background in studying, but also from the divine knowledge which God gave him on the road to Damascus.  Paul had enough knowledge to debate among the great minds of the time as seen in Acts 17: 16-33, resulting in having followers.  In all his letters, there is such an intimate, precise, knowledgeable focus on Christ, it is impossible not to know that Paul knew Christ.  The focus is that Jesus was and is the Truth to all questions, the Light to all darkness, and the Savior to all who are lost.   Paul further points out that Christ is the example we should all strive to be.  Paul understood the significance of the cross and the need for a high Priest named Jesus in Heaven, he understood that God did not need an idol made by men to inhabit.  He knew that, through Christ, we, as believer’s are God’s offspring.  Paul’s knowledge of these great things caused him to be focused on eternity, beyond any suffering or rejoicing of earthly circumstances.
Equipped with both head, heart, and eternal knowledge, Paul set about with boldness and confidence.  He called out the great philosophers of the day, he travelled where he felt led, and he sent letters to churches calling them out on sinful natures within the congregations.  Yet, he also encouraged, loved, and gave generously.  He had confidence because he knew the Truth and knew that the Truth was eternal, which pressed on him to share the gospel of Jesus with everyone.  He also knew that Christ was seated as our High Priest, that we could go to him and he would give us “mercy and grace in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16)  Furthermore, Paul knew that he could do all things “through Christ, who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).  His boldness came from his knowledge of Christ.  He had no reason to fear others; but instead, he had every reason to rejoice and give generously because Christ was his example, his strength, his grace in time of need.
Because of Paul’s knowledge of the Christ and eternity, he had confidence to boldly speak to believers and non-believers alike no matter where that led him or what that forced him to endure.   His confidence never came from himself, but from Christ’s presence in his life, and the encouragement of other believers.  It is because of Christ’s presence, the Truth in the knowledge of Jesus, and the courage that God gave him to know that Paul was doing what he was called to do, that Paul was able to rejoice and give thanks in everything.  Paul even mentioned rejoicing and giving thanks 3 times in different letters, under different circumstances (Col. 1: 11-14, Phil. 4: 4-9).    In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul says, “Be joyful always; Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Many times, we wonder what is God’s will and how can I be witness or disciple to someone.  Well, look to Paul who looked to Christ and there you have it.  C.S. Lewis once wrote, “There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.”  The fact is that we are all bound by eternity, and that every day, we are encountering souls who need the light of Christ in us.
I will never forget when I, what I call “fell back in love with God” and started walking the right path again, I started helping with our youth group.  They taught me quite a few lessons on boldness.  They wore their Christian band T-shirts to school and gladly went to the National Day of Prayer in front of their school flag pole, they would pray in public at restaurants, and ask people they bonded with at the mall or restaurants to come to youth group with them.  They’d talk boldly in public about Bible studies and mention to cashiers how good God was to them.  Prior to them, I thought lives were meant to be separate but their boldness gave me boldness that I still carry with me to this day.
I finally understood that my mission field is where I am, anytime of the day.  The people I am witnessing to are the people God has placed in my life, whether those people are random strangers or individuals who have a more permanent place.  I may never make it overseas but I can dig into word daily and follow the dictates in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, knowing that is God’s will for my life.  Now, from the first day someone meets me, they know I am a believer.  I don’t throw a Bible at them but I am so bursting with joy at what God has done in my life that I can’t help but want to share Christ, talk about my amazing church, or the amazing ministry I work for.  It literally just flows from an outpouring of the heart.  Although, like Paul, there are some who have rejected me because of it, I have also seen God’s hand at work numerous times because of the boldness given to me from the confidence in and from Jesus Christ.
What about you?  Are you waking in boldness?  Are you thankful for your circumstances and allowing them to be used of God?