Thought of the day
There's a tension worth noticing in Ephesians 6. Paul repeatedly tells believers to stand firm, but then he puts gospel shoes on their feet (Ephesians 6:15). Standing firm was never meant to mean standing still. God gives you stability in Christ so you can actually move toward people with good news, not retreat from them.
This shows up clearly in what Paul asks for himself. He's writing from prison, chained for preaching the gospel, and if anyone had a reason to ask for comfort or release, it was him. But listen to what he actually requests: "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel... Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should" (Ephesians 6:19-20). He doesn't primarily ask for his chains to come off. He asks for his mouth to open.
That's a different kind of boldness than most of us picture. It's not loud or combative. It's not cornering someone until you've said everything you planned to say. Boldness is loving someone enough to have an honest conversation about Jesus, even a brief, imperfect one. "Can I tell you what Jesus has been doing in my life?" "Would it be okay if I prayed for you?" "Has faith ever been part of your story?" You don't need every answer. You're not responsible for changing anyone's heart. That part belongs to God.
Today, think of one person God has placed within your reach, a coworker, a neighbor, or someone in your own house. You don't need a plan for their whole spiritual future. You just need one small step: a question, a prayer offered out loud, an honest word about what Jesus has done in you.