in Chains for Christ

Week 2 of Abigails' Bloggin Bible Study. Reread Chapter 1 of Philippians.

I read this once, reread it outloud and scanned over it one more time. The thing that stood out was the word 'chains.'

Paul mentions this word four times in this chapter. What does being in chains mean? These were found at dictionary.reference.com
Chains - something that binds or restrains; bond: the chain of timidity, the chain of loyalty.
chains,
a. shackles or fetters: to place a prisoner in chains.
b. bondage; servitude: to live one's life in chains.

Paul is bonded for Christ. In Christ. He writes this letter and instead of complaining, of crying, of wanting to be FREE (as I would be doing), he is fully committed and fully engaged. He is proud that him living his life, being a servitude to Christ is better than.....he says even being with Christ....for the simple reason that others can see Christ in Him. and "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly" - verse 14.

It's so much easier to say we believe in Christ, but not act on it. It's so much easier to dip your toes in baptism, but not be summerged. So much easier to say we are bonded with Christ, but not want the literal chains to go with it.

Here I am struggling with my own spiritual connection and there are people who are my age, younger, older, women, men...children...across the world in captivity, in CHAINS for Christ.

So a simple conversation with someone about Christ shouldn't scare me. I should be honored to be able to spread the word free of chains, but still be BONDED with Christ.