I have been reading through the book of Philippians in a prayerful and meditative manner and need to share my journey
Today, I want to look at Philippians 1:21
for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
I believe this, but…
too often my mind easily focuses on how much I am doing here and now, and it seems to all be important. I believe it is because I am doing my best to ‘live for Christ’. And isn’t that good…enough…to not want to go to Heaven… just… yet?
Then there are those struggles that I desperately want to see resolved before leaving. And isn’t that the Christian thing to do?
And, at this point, I begin to grasp that my reasons for wanting to stay here, and not eagerly seek heaven, are because I am too heavily invested with my reputation! Namely, something is wanting me to accept that all the things that I know God desires just won’t have a chance of happening if I am gone.
But there is the Spirit in me, countering my Self Importance, wooing me towards living a life eagerly focused on heaven…regardless
of my accomplishments, or lack of them
regardless of my struggles
regardless of others’ views
This wooing is akin to wanting to receive a gift of a totally new set of clothes, while still liking the comfort of the one’s I am currently wearing
I know the choice I must make. It will be uncomfortably satisfying, but something that God is calling me to. I don’t know all that will await me, and maybe that too is part of my struggle, my hesitation of going deeper, namely I am wanting to navigate where all this will lead me; I am wanting to know know where I am going.
Well, I am taking the plunge! God will and does provide an excellent Road Map. His name is Jesus
Living with Him in this Journey of a lifetime,
-Michael