SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:12-26 - And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ. Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 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. 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. For I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die. For to me, living is for Christ, and dying is even better. Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ. I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be far better for me, but it is better for you that I live. I am convinced of this, so I will continue with you so that you will grow and experience the joy of your faith. Then when I return to you, you will have even more reason to boast about what Christ Jesus has done for me.
COMMENTARY: Why are you here? God is a purposeful God. Everything He does permeates purpose. He has created you with a purpose in mind. What is it? What are you passionate about? Why did God put you here on this earth? Millions of people never find the answers to these questions. Some resign themselves to a mediocre life, some claim there is no purpose to life. God's Word says otherwise. We were created for a purpose and we find that purpose in relationship to the King.
Eric Liddell, Scottish missionary to China and Olympic gold-medal-winning runner said, “I believe God made me for a purpose; for China . But He also made me fast . And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” Eric Liddell knew his life purpose and pursued it with all his heart—even to his death in a Japanese internment camp in China in 1945. Paul knew his life purpose also—and it consumed every moment of his life. He even saw his imprisonment as serving to help further the spread of the gospel. Paul did not care whether he lived or died as long as he was faithful to Christ.
God does have a purpose for your life. Your destiny may not lie on the mission field or in any other area of “professional” ministry. God's purpose for your life may lie in the business world, in the arts, in education or on the homefront, raising children and building a strong family. Whatever your purpose may be, find it and pursue it with gusto! God is not playing games with you. He is not trying to keep you in the dark about your life purpose. He wants you to find it and fulfill it. That is why He created you. People with purpose live life with passion.
REFLECTION: What is your purpose? What is your passion? Find them both in relationship with the King. To live is Christ!
PRAYER: Lord, help me discover my life purpose in You. Give me the grace and the fire inside to pursue that purpose with passion!
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