A Life Worthy

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things (Philippians 3:7-8).

Time for a heart check, Beloved of Christ.

Read the words again.

Slowly

Let them percolate.

And ask yourself: Would you willingly, joyfully, eagerly walk away from all that you have and do and are for the sake of Christ?

Easy to say…

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you (Philippians 3:1).

I almost skipped over this line, as I often skim past it when I am reading this passage. It just seems like filler, a transition to get us into the next section of the letter. Then I realized something.

This line is gold.

This line is at the very heart of wisdom.

As a teacher, I know that students need to hear something multiple times before it sinks in.  They can read it, hear it from me, discuss it with a partner, watch it in a video, and still be completely clueless on tomorrow’s quiz.  A standard teacher mantra is It never hurts ‘em to hear it again.  In this respect, you and I are no different from the twelve-year-olds in my classroom.

We need to read it again

Hear it again

See it again

Experience it again

Pray it again

before it really sinks in.  

So, as you head into your week, don’t shy away from the lessons you think you’ve already learned.  That leads to pride, and we know where that road takes us. Instead, embrace the wisdom like the friend that it is.

It never hurts us to hear it again.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing (Philippians 2:16).

I’m a teacher, and as I read this a couple of thoughts pop into my head.

One, this is a really long sentence.  Paul…Buddy…I know this is translated from Greek and all, but you oughta review your punctuation.

Two, I identify with this.  I mean, I’m just a middle school teacher, but like all teachers I take a measure of success or failure from my students’ performance.  I know that there are a thousand things that affect their scores over which I have zero influence. Still, my success is tied up in theirs.  When they pass the test, so do I. When they fall short…

And Paul was so much more than their teacher.  He was the founder of their church, their mentor, their spiritual father…their apostle.

And he was watching to see that his work had not been in vain.

Beloved, who has invested in your life?  Who has run and labored on your behalf? Remember them today.  Pray for them. Reach out to them if you can, and let them know that you know…you know?

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe… (Philippians 2:14)

Like a star

But not a star

You and I are more like moons, reflecting the light of the Son. When we do our jobs right, we reflect pure light onto a dark world. When we get a little too full of ourselves, and maybe start thinking that’s our light pouring out on the world, well…

Have you ever seen an eclipse?

Be a full moon today.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

Do everything without complaining or arguing… (Philippians 2:14)

Remember, Paul’s talking to the Church here.  These are believers, Christ followers, ambassadors of hope in a really sad, perverse, messed-up world.

Kinda like ours.

Beloved, look at the news.

Look out the window.

This is a time to remember what unifies us, not what pulls us apart.  Yes, there are non-negotiables of the faith–the nature of God, and of Man, and of the Word–but they are comparatively few. Most of the things that separate us are not essential to the core of life with Christ.  And while we bicker, the world is blown further and further from the Truth.

As an old pastor of mine would say, there are elephants and there are peanuts.  Deal with the elephants, and don’t worry about the peanuts.

Happy Friday, Beloved