Daily Worship

The eye of the storm

Alec Shuttleworth January 27, 2017 0 0

Philippians 1:12-18

I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear. Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defence of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,

To the outside observer Paul could hardly be said to have found that campfire contentment, that peace of deep faith and assurance. He was in prison.

Paul, frequently fleeing for his life, frequently causing disputes, frequently arrested, imprisoned whipped, then run out of town. Ye here he is. At peace with his circumstances and rejoicing in the good news, and the effect his imprisonment is having on others. For many this is their favourite of Paul’s letters. Optimistic, inspiring, full of joy. But written from prison.

 

In the eye of every storm

There is a place of calm

Of assurance

Of reassurance

There may I know your presence.

 

In the depths of every darkness

Where mourning has taken us beyond despair

There is place

Where before I even look up

To try and see the light again

There may I know your presence

 

In the whirl of every wild dance

Where hands in hands we spun each other round

There is a moment

When our eyes locked

And the music ceased

And there was only us

There may I know your presence

 

At the closing of the day

When the soft night

And the promise of warm sleep

Breathes across me like a charm

There may I know your presence

 

God of the raging storm

God of the dark despair

God of the dance

God of the dream filled night

Let me know your presence.