Scripture: Philippians 1:21-24
Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better. If I continue to live in this world, I get results from my work. But I don’t know what I prefer. I’m torn between the two because I want to leave this life and be with Christ, which is far better. However, it’s more important for me to stay in this world for your sake.
Thought for the Day: I am going to say it out loud. Personally, I think it is better to live. Paul can have this internal debate over whether it is better to live or to die, but I’m going to stick with living. Of course, I have the luxury of saying that as I sit back in my air condition home with plenty of food within 15 feet, and no one (that I know of) wants me dead. Paul has been on a journey that has seen tremendous highs, and equally difficult lows. He currently finds himself in prison, and a death sentence is what the Romans do to folks like him. I don’t believe Paul says these things because he has some death wish, but at some point a person has to prepare him/herself for what is coming. Paul appears to have found a peace, and though he’d like to continue his work, he understands that his death may come in the next hour or so. What does it take to have that kind of peace in one’s life? I imagine a lot of people claim to have that kind of peace, but what they have resembles the peace of Paul in no way, shape or form. The Christian journey is an ongoing and intentional odyssey into greater and greater peace. Not simply a lack of hate or violence or turmoil, but genuine peace that exudes faithful contentment with whatever the next moment brings.
Prayer: Keep me moving forward, God of Peace, as I desire to know a greater depth of peace tomorrow as compared to what I know today. Amen.
Come And Hear
Rev. Marilyn Fiddmont
This Sunday
