I just started studying Philippians. It has always been one of my favorite letters and I just want to spend some time and go deeper. I love the example of faith lived by Paul. I love his attitude, faith and resolve. This simple verse is such a great reminder to me. For Paul, life is summed up in Jesus Christ. Christ was his reason for being.
I must be honest here, I can lose sight of this. It is my heart's desire to live day to day with Christ being my sole reason for being. But I have to admit the noise of life distracts me. I forget to focus on Him. I get caught up in life that I forget He is what makes it more meaningful. In Him, I am more capable, strong and confident. I know I am better when I keep Him at the center of my being. It isn't always easy to do this.
However, I am not going to beat myself up over it. To know Christ does not mean I have arrived. When we embrace Jesus the journey is just beginning. I am a work in progress. My hope and prayer is that with every day I will embrace my journey with awe and importance. I am not complete. But Phil 1:6 assures me that I can be confident God is faithful to work in my life and He is faithful to complete it! (Phil 1:6 - being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion)
One final reminder for myself, it really is a slow process. We live in an instant society. We can get anything we want how we want it and when we want it. Our journey is a life time process. We need to anticipate that growth is slow. But I know to persevere and continue in my journey with Jesus is so worth the effort and time. My prayer this week is that I approach my faith as a work in progress, focusing on God's good purpose for all things, and striving to keep Him at the center of my being. Praise God that I don't have to complete it today. Today is another day in the journey and God is faithful in all His goodness and mercy to be with me every step of the way.
Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain"
