The Gospel Cannot Be Stopped

Many of OIM’s volunteers and staff can likely attest to the difficulties of ministry to our street friends. Seeing people at their worst, who have been taken advantage of, who struggle with addiction, mental and physical health.

While we know that God is ultimately and sovereignly in control, it can be difficult to see His plan amid suffering. Speaking for myself, I deal with my own suffering in certain ways (by trying to give it to God), but it can be difficult to deal with the suffering I see others experiencing.

This week I’ve been reflecting on the prison epistle that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi during his imprisonment in Rome. He says, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Phil. 1:12). What exactly happened to Paul during his imprisonment? Well, you can read all about it in Acts 21-28, but to summarize, he survived riots, beatings, injustice, threats (over 40 men swore an oath to kill him), survived a shipwreck and a viper bite.

As I reflect on this passage, I can’t help but think of Joseph’s words to his brothers, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). The enemy is at work in Ottawa. We see the effects of it. But what the enemy means for evil, God uses for good. God uses His followers to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth and to love and serve those in need.

This is not some abstract idea. God uses you, OIM’s volunteers and supporters, to overcome the enemy’s work. Handing out a sandwich, offering a prayer to someone on the street, donating, etc. These things often feel small, and we wish we could do more, but don’t discredit what God can do through these simple acts of obedience. Jesus served 5000 through a child’s obedient offering of five loaves and two fish (John 6:9-14).

Paul was pleased that by his imprisonment, those who held him captive heard the gospel, and believers all around became confident to boldly proclaim the gospel without fear (Phil. 1:13-14). The enemy cannot stop the spread of the gospel. The enemy cannot stop God, “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice” (Phil. 1:18).

~ Jordan Levesque, Youth Program Coordinator