Divided Love

 

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:19-26 ESV).

 

After Faith and Logan’s graduation ceremony last week Mary and I rode home with them. Their car was parked closer to the stadium than Kyle’s and it made more sense to ride with them. It was delightful to be stuck in the traffic of the hundreds of folks trying to exit the parking lot. Faith had a great playlist going on the radio; the conversation was lovely and full of the joy of accomplishment and friends. I couldn’t have been happier than to be there at that moment. We talked about everything and nothing in specific. To be grandparents with them was a great joy. After a bit, Faith said, “Well, Grandpa, you made it.” I laughed a bit and recognized that thought was rooted in the uncertainty of life, especially for someone who has had some health issues over the past three years.

 

Our reading today gives us some insight into the mind of the apostle as he faces the nearing end of his life. Paul had never been with Jesus like the other apostles, most of whom had been Jesus’ disciples. He met Jesus in a vision on the road to Damascus (cf. Acts 9). And he was eager to experience having full life with Christ in his presence forever. Yet he loved the life he had here on earth, and he loved the Philippians and all others who needed to hear about and grow in the love of Christ. So Paul was torn, and he sensed that his going to be with Jesus would wait. He hoped to return to Philippi to enjoy the people’s fellowship and deepen their faith.

 

Paul lays out his heart here for all to see. And what we see is his love for God, love for Jesus, love for the gospel, and love for sisters and brothers in the church. An old song says, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Certainly we see Paul’s Christlikeness in his lavish love. By Paul’s example, we see again the importance of love for God and love for neighbor at the center of his life. Jesus stated that these two summarize the whole will of God. I am so glad to have “made it” to this point… but I also look forward to really making it into eternity with Jesus!