The Word of God cannot be chained....

It's an astounding thought. No matter how people tried to stop Paul from preaching the Word, it seemed to spread faster and farther. It seems counter intuitive that the more persecution there was, the more Christianity spread. All I can say is that God works in mysterious ways, and refuses to conform to our expectations.Things that don't make sense to us make perfect sense to God, who is after all God. I took the post title from 2 Timothy 2:9, where Paul was writing about his chains. He goes on to write:

I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a true saying: If we die with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:10-13)

Are we like Paul, willing to go through anything for His sake and the sake of the church? I don't know about you, but if I'm completely honest with myself, I am not naturally willing to endure pain. I have to allow God to make me willing to endure these things. Plus, I don't think I know exactly what it means to endure for Him, but I pray that I'll be up to the task. I pray that I will help spread the Word, and not hinder it by my actions or words. I pray that God will use me, and that I'll be patient waiting on Him.