More from Linawati Santoso

Praise God, the pandemic no longer has such a grip on our lives! Today, we can freely go to work or take a vacation. We can also go to church and prayer meeting. I remember how just a few years ago, we spent almost all our time in our home. 

I usually led praise and worship in prayer meeting. Sometimes I also brought the sermon. My heart longed to serve God as usual, but circumstances stopped me. “Oh, I have an idea!” I said to myself. Yes, that idea was to send my friends a daily devotional! I know that idea was given by God. Starting from the next day, I sent devotionals to friends from prayer meeting as well as my other friends. I still do so every morning. Sometimes I get responses such as, “Thank you, Sister, I am blessed.” But sometimes I don’t get a response. That is no problem with me because I know I have done something good for God.

Paul’s life was very inspiring to me. Since Jesus met Paul on his journey to Damascus, he enthusiastically preached Gospel (See Acts 9:1-6). He traveled from place to place telling the people there about Jesus, the Messiah. Because he was teaching the gospel, he was imprisoned. That situation stopped him from traveling and preaching. But amazingly, he still could bear fruit for God’s kingdom! In prison, Paul wrote letters to strengthen the faith of believers. Philippians, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philemon are believed to be the results of his work in prison. We know all of these letters brought great impact. Many people have been blessed as they read Paul’s messages, and his work has impacted millions of people—including us. For example, as we read Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (NIV), we are encouraged to get rid of our anxiety and reminded that God always hears our prayers. As we read 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” we are reminded that God shows us goodness in all circumstances.

Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me” (Phil. 1:21-22). That was why Paul, even while imprisoned, still did something for God. Let us follow his example and do something for God. If we don’t know what to do, we can ask God in prayer. Just as God gave me the idea to send the devotional to friends, God will also give you an idea for good work to do.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).

God bless you.