"For I know that as you pray for me and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will all turn out for my deliverance." Philippians 1:19
Probably my favorite hero of the faith would be Paul. As the writer of so many New Testament books, he was constantly encouraging Believers worldwide in their new found Christian faith. I wonder if he had any idea what an encouragement his words would be to Christians two centuries later?
As was the case with many of his letters, Paul wrote to the Philippian church from prison. He was once again awaiting a trial that would either set him free to preach again, or see him executed for his faith. During this time, others began preaching the gospel with ulterior motives. Some wanted to gain the fame Paul had, while others preached simply because they knew in doing so, Paul's case would be less well received. They were trying to make his life harder.
Philippians 1:18 shows us how Paul's reaction differs from mine. "But whether or not their motives are pure, the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice."
Paul had an incredible heavenly perspective. He trusted God so completely, that no matter what happened to him, or what other's were saying and doing, he knew without a doubt that it would "all turn out for his deliverance". He was able to rejoice, even in prison. Paul was so completely sold out for the Lord that he was able to keep his eyes heavenward no matter what was happening around him.
I honestly can't say rejoicing would have been my first reaction...or my second for that matter. Mine may have gone something like this. "I can't believe their doing that! They are so selfish! They don't really love Christ. Their only doing it to make my life even harder that it already is! Poor me. Grump...grump... grumble... grumble... whine...whine." Case in point - This morning my kids all got up before me. The Texas sunshine was streaming in their windows at 6:45 and they were up and at 'em. Mom however was still fumbling her way to the coffee maker, while listening to pleas for breakfast.
My first reaction was not to rejoice folks. I need time to wake up. I am NOT an up and at 'em sort of momma. Then as I sat with my much coveted cup of joe, reading Paul's account from a Roman prison, I began to see things differently. Paul wasn't necessarily rejoicing because He enjoyed being in prison, but because He trusted the Lord to work on his behalf. Hmmm...There really is joy in everything. Sometimes we just have to adjust our perspective.
Lord, help me to be a Paul. To be so completely focused on you and what you are doing, that what happens to me is immaterial. May I find something to rejoice about in every situation today and in doing so, continually point others toward You.
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