boldness from "bonds"

Over 130 years ago, a young man in West Africa escaped captivity from a neighboring tribe and ran through the jungle until he reached the city of Monrovia. There, he met a missionary who told him of Jesus, and this young man gave his heart to God. His name was Samuel Morris.
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Samuel had a strong desire to go to America and learn more about the Holy Spirit so he could return and tell his people about God. Though penniless, God provided a way to America, and soon Samuel was enrolled at Taylor University in Indiana. Morris' strong faith in God seemed to touch all who knew him. Often, he could be heard in his dorm room "talking to my Father."

After coming down with a severe cold, Samuel died. His desire to take the Gospel back to Africa was fulfilled, but not in the way he had planned. Many young people were so inspired by Samuel's faith that soon after his death, they felt the call to be missionaries in Africa. Through Samuel's "bonds" (illness and death), many were "much more bold to speak the word without fear."

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote at least four of the Epistles. It might have seemed that his "bonds" (persecution and imprisonment) were hindering him from doing God's work. Yet, Paul understood God had something far greater in mind. Through Paul's "bonds," many Christians were strengthened ("waxing confident").

What "bonds" might you be dealing with today? Persecution, afflictions, trials, or the loss of a loved one can be devastating! You might think: "Why would God let these things happen to me? Doesn't He know how much they are hindering me?" The lives of the Apostle Paul and Samuel Morris remind us God sees the WHOLE picture. He knows that MANY can be encouraged and become bolder for Him by your "bonds." We must let God do His perfect work.

In God's economy, nothing is wasted!
​Not our time, not our sacrifice, not our life.
—Unknown