Philippians 1
I can't get away from this passage. Maybe it's because of how positive Paul is in his circumstances. How many of us, languishing in an ancient prison, would say that, "It's all gonna work out for the best"? Maybe that's because our definition of best is "what we think is best for us at the moment" and not "what God knows is best for us in the long-term" or "am I right where God wants me to be?" Sometimes I complain (don't we all?) but my complaints are never really that good. I complain about the weather or how busy I am and forget about all I've been given; all the ways God has blessed me. I think it's later here in Philippians that Paul says (paraphrase) "I have learned to be satisfied in every situation." How many of us are able to take that kind of comfort in God's providence? How many of us can really say with peace "whether I live or die, Christ will be glorified."
I think a lot of times I miss the forest for the trees. I get hung up on something that seems really important at the time (job) and neglect all the other areas in which I'm called to be Christ's ambassador (really being there for my family, students and friends). How many of us miss the higher calling on our lives because we're so caught up in the here and now. It's a great time to think about that, what with "wars and rumors of wars" and "earthquakes and famines" (Libya, Tripoli, Egypt, New Zealand). I really believe the end is very close; Jesus is coming soon - sooner than we think. How many of us would be so caught up in the trivia of our own lives that we would miss the coming of Christ (not possible, I know, but...).
God, open my eyes. Help me to look past the things that clamor for my attention and see You. Help me to fix my eyes not on the fleeting goals of this life but on the eternal goals of the life to come. Amen.
To Live Is Christ
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.I can't get away from this passage. Maybe it's because of how positive Paul is in his circumstances. How many of us, languishing in an ancient prison, would say that, "It's all gonna work out for the best"? Maybe that's because our definition of best is "what we think is best for us at the moment" and not "what God knows is best for us in the long-term" or "am I right where God wants me to be?" Sometimes I complain (don't we all?) but my complaints are never really that good. I complain about the weather or how busy I am and forget about all I've been given; all the ways God has blessed me. I think it's later here in Philippians that Paul says (paraphrase) "I have learned to be satisfied in every situation." How many of us are able to take that kind of comfort in God's providence? How many of us can really say with peace "whether I live or die, Christ will be glorified."
I think a lot of times I miss the forest for the trees. I get hung up on something that seems really important at the time (job) and neglect all the other areas in which I'm called to be Christ's ambassador (really being there for my family, students and friends). How many of us miss the higher calling on our lives because we're so caught up in the here and now. It's a great time to think about that, what with "wars and rumors of wars" and "earthquakes and famines" (Libya, Tripoli, Egypt, New Zealand). I really believe the end is very close; Jesus is coming soon - sooner than we think. How many of us would be so caught up in the trivia of our own lives that we would miss the coming of Christ (not possible, I know, but...).
God, open my eyes. Help me to look past the things that clamor for my attention and see You. Help me to fix my eyes not on the fleeting goals of this life but on the eternal goals of the life to come. Amen.
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