Philippians 1-21I 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