Philippians Chapter 1

PART 1

My heart stopped momentarily as I refocused my eyes on my Bible. The words I had just read pierced my soul in a way I had not anticipated. Though Philippians Chapter 1 has long been one of my favorite books in the Bible, this particular verse had never before spoken to me as it did last Sunday as I quietly flipped through my Bible while preparing to partake of the Sacrament.

Philippians 1:

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I know not.

23 For I am hard-pressed to choose betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Glancing over the verses a second time I discovered the part that had caused my heart to stop beating for one brief, life-changing moment:

“..having a desire to depart, and be with Christ...”

Paul desired to be with Christ that very day, in that very moment.

He wanted it more than anything else.

Surely, there is nothing earth-shattering about longing to return to the presence of Christ, as this is the ultimate goal of most Christians.

What came across as so earth-shattering—the thing that caused my heart to stop beating—was the fact that Paul felt worthy to return to the presence of Christ that very day, in that very moment.

Listen, I long for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ as much as the next guy, however, I freely acknowledge that I don’t want it to come quite yet.

I feel I need a bit more time to prepare!

I am not afraid of dying. I just think I would benefit greatly by having more time to prepare.

I feel I need to do better.

I feel I need to be better.

I feel I have some serious repenting and changing and perfecting to do.

{pause}

I say those words, but even as I say them I know they are not true.

The truth is that, deep down, I feel like I will never be able to do enough.

I will never be good enough to stand, with the mind-blowing confidence of Paul, in the presence of Christ.

These real and raw emotions are what led me to wonder, as the sacrament prayer was being offered on the bread,

“How was it possible? How was Paul able to feel worthy, in that very moment, to be with Christ?“

[END PART 1]

Read PART 2 HERE.

ACTIVITY

A good friend recently shared that she has a difficult time thinking of anything she likes about herself. One day, the spirit spoke to her through a song, reminding her that she, among other things, is brave. It felt so good to her to acknowledge that she is brave! She then invited others to share a positive quality about themselves—a simple exercise to remind us of our own worth. Below, I share what my friend shared on her post and invite you to be brave and share in the comment section below a great quality that describes you.

“You, too, have amazing qualities! This post isn’t to brag about yourself, but rather to pause and recognize your divine gifts. Let’s say it out loud together!