Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner, restricted, yet he still has influence and continues to live on mission. Even while under guard, he doesn’t waste time—within a few days, he’s already gathering people and sharing with them.
Working at a large corporation in Austin, I remember feeling restricted and stuck. I thought that if I could just reach the next level or get the next promotion, I would finally feel a sense of purpose and freedom in my life.
When I made the decision to leave, something shifted and I became more intentional with the people around me. I asked coworkers I had known for years about their faith, moved beyond casual conversations, and started engaging more personally. I found myself caring less about performance and more about serving the people I interacted with each day. Looking back, I wish I would have done that sooner.
It’s easy, when we feel limited by our circumstances—whether that’s a job you don’t like, a hard season of parenting, or something else entirely—to spend our energy wishing things were different. But Paul’s example is a reminder that our ability to live with purpose isn’t dependent on having ideal circumstances.
Is there a place in your life right now where you feel bound by chains and waiting for things to change – instead of leaning in where God already has you?