Philippians 1:20-26

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don't know which is better.23 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.   25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

 This passage almost always gets me thinking!  Can I honestly say that for me, TO LIVE MEANS LIVING FOR CHRIST, BUT DYING IS EVEN BETTER?  Really?  Is my concept of being with Christ so palpable that I can almost taste it?  Am I living my life with so much faith that death is even in the realm of possibility due to my living out the Gospel each day?

One issue that I find myself working through as I read this passage today is this: do I believe that God is actually using my life to "continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith"? 

What questions does the passage evoke in you?

Under the Mercy,
Jason

Suggested Resources:

2010: A Year of Living Missionally

At Terra Nova we are committing to living one full year in a missional way. This means that we will commit every day to live in such a way that the people around us will see and experience God's love. Want to join us?

The "how" of living missionally

These are 3 questions we are asking as we pursue an entire year of living missionally (they are from Dave Gibbons' book "The Monkey and the Fish"):

1. Where is Nazareth?
In John 1 Nathanael asks what good could come from Nazareth. At Terra Nova, we are asking where is Nazareth? Where are the people that are the outsiders, the outcasts, and the oppressed? Where are those that I don't really want to believe in. Who do I think is "less than"?

When I can answer this, I know who I need to be focusing on in my pursuit of living missionally.

Craig Groeschel said, "To reach unreached people, we have to do what is not yet being done."

Who are the people around you that need to hear about HOPE?

2. What is my pain?
In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul says that to the Jews the cross is a stumbling block and to the Greeks it is foolishness. The Gospel is about meeting people at their point of pain. Too often in our culture we are focused on success and being "all together." We want to hear success stories and how we can become our best self. We want to relate to people within the context of success.

Unfortunately, the most common denominator between us is not success but pain. If I am going to relate to the people around me in a real, authentic way, I need to be willing to accept and even embrace my pain. It is within the context of this shared pain that we will be able to truly touch those around us.

3. What is in my hand?
In Exodus 4 God asks Moses a very simple question: "What is that in your hand?" The question encourages us to focus on what we have not what we are lacking. What do you have that you can use? What talents and gifts do you have now that will help those around you?

As we wrestle with these questions, we will begin the process of living every day with a missional mindset.

Under the Mercy,
Jason