The Unchained Word

Writing from the perspective of the prison cell, the author of 2 Timothy wrote, "Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David - that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained" (2 Timothy 2:8-9). But the word of God is not chained. Such a simple but powerful statement. The word of God cannot be chained or locked away somewhere. It is perpetually free in the world, proclaiming God's love for that same world. 

We can easily fall into the trap of believing that we need to bring the word of God where it is not. Many do not read the word of God or believe in it, so we might assume that the Word is kept from them somehow. But we must remember, the word of God is not chained. We (hopefully!) participate in sharing the word of God with others. But that Word is already free and active in the world at large. May we be perpetually renewed in our faith, hope, and love through the Word that can never be restrained. Amen.