In the epistle to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul ministers to the church in Philippi while he is incarcerated for the preaching of the Gospel.
In a cold, dark putrid smelling, dungeon of a prison cell, chained and beaten, in pain and with open wounds, Paul is not wrapped up in his own misery; his mind is focused on his beloved friends at the church that he founded in Philippi. As he ministers to them he writes down this profound statement,
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Paul goes on to say, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. (Philippians 1:21,24-25)
In the midst of working, social events, paying bills, politics and on and on, as believers we can easily loose focus when it comes to our true calling and our true assignment.
Paul must have been on the verge of death to write what he wrote…
He was possibly badly beaten and his wounds may have gotten infected… He does not share the details, only that he is in a place of having to decide whether to let go and die, or whether to use his faith to live. Paul acknowledges that dying would be better for him, but he decides to use his faith to live so that he could continue to help his followers in Christ to grow and experience the joy of their faith.
Family, life is short, and there is no doubt that the Lord wants us to enjoy every moment of it, but we should never lose focus when it comes to the real reason we are here on earth and not up there in Heaven with Jesus.
We have been recruited as ministers and witnesses and dispensers of the good news of the Gospel of grace to a lost, deceived, hurting and dying world. Jesus loves every one of these lost souls and is not willing that any should perish.
I encourage each and every one of you to renew your focus, exercise your faith to overcome your personal challenges by the grace of God, and then to use every aspect of your life to pour out His Amazing Love as you continue to be His hands extended… hands of unconditional love, hope, healing, miracles and blessing, in Jesus Name!
