May 17, 2007
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The passion of our days
” For to me, to LIVE is Christ, and to DIE is gain.” Philippians 1:21
I’ve been studying the book of Philippians the past few weeks. I’ve been going over the scripture above and thinking a lot about what it would mean to live my life in such a way that I could boldly say that my LIFE was about Christ and that I found that dying would be gain!
Immediately, I think of leaving my husband, children, grandchildren, mother and loved ones. A sadness swells up in me when I think about leaving them… even temporarily. Did Paul have loved ones? Were there those that he longed for? Apparently, the answer is yes, because in the first chapter of Philippians he says in verse 8 that he greatly longed for them (the Philippian brethren) with all the affection of Jesus Christ. Yet, he saw death as gain for He would be with Christ.
Paul determines later in that chapter that it’s more needful for him to remain in the flesh for THEIR sakes. Verse 25 is the key… “And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all FOR YOUR PROGRESS and JOY OF FAITH.”
Here is where I always want my heart to be for my family and loved ones … that my time remaining should be for THEIR PROGRESS and JOY OF FAITH. I wonder if we would change the way we order the time in our homes if we used this as our ‘divine plumb line’? What would we do differently? What would we give up in order to redeem the time for the progress and joy of faith in those we love?
It’s got me thinking….
How about you?
“According to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” Philippians 1:20
Comments (10)
As always such a beautiful and truth-filled post. The book of Philippians is my very favorite book in the NT. I have been memorizing this book for quite awhile, because of the the great truths I desire to fill my spirit with over and over again! Thank you for your entry, Georgene…I was blessed and challenged anew!
I have missed getting to visit with you via xanga…I have been gone for quite awhile. Anyhooooooooo, have a blessed weekend, dear sister. Thanking God for your faithful witness and sending much love–Paula
I have been inspired by Philippians, too. We have been studying this in our Ladies’ Sunday School, but I have to admit that having to teach in another language makes so many good truths HARD to communicate like I want to.
So true! I, too, love the book of Phillipians – maybe because it speaks of Jesus so much.
Good post—good “plumb-line”—got me thinkin too.
That was a very good reminder! It’s so easy to forget that this life is not about us and to desire that all things work out the way we want them to. Thanks, Georgene!
Your thoughts are always good ones! Paul really was such a servant to others. I think of what he said in Romans 9, that he would choose to be cut off from Christ if his brothers would only come to know Him! Not sure I could say that! XO
I was just browsing the Retired Homeschool Moms blog ring and wanted to say hello. I homeschooled both of my children from elementary through high school. Then they both married in the same year. Now I have 3 grandchildren and another one on the way this fall.
Blessings!
Paula
Thank you, Georgene, for the sweet comment. I will keep the herbs in mind.
I noticed your an Elizabeth Elliot fan, too. I love her books and have read several. In fact the book I’m reading now was forwarded by her.
Blessings!
Paula
http://www.preceptaustin.org/philippians_19-17.htm#Sincere Hi Georgene! Kay Arthur’s site has all of these Greek Word Studies already done for us, so I refer to that sometimes. I had heard that story about the wax preached before and then came across it again at her site. My “choice” of what I’ve been reading has been interesting, because I’m in a brand new church and very involved, and first I was in I Cor (church divisions and self-centered living), then did a devotional for our ladies group based on I Cor 13 and I Jn 3 & 4 (focus on our loving each other), and am now in Phil with it’s focus on unity and loving each other selflessly. Hope all is well with you, your family and your home. We are having struggles compatible with our age and stage of life, so Phil 2:1 was very encouraging to me this morning (particularly JnMac’s notes on Phil 2:1 and cross references). Have a great Sunday! ~Pam
LOL! Yes, I would like to know any great sites you come across. Kay Arthur’s site has been the most valuable one I’ve found. It’s tremendous. I use mostly that and blueletterbible.org for their search help and biblegateway.com for their keyword search and passage lookup. Those are my top 3. Precept Austin (Kay Arthur’s), though, is a true goldmine! I could spend hours there – I’m sure you can too!
~Pam