Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 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. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

Philippians 1:18b-26

I came across this passage a while back while reading one night. I literally sat and read through these verses 5 times. Since then, I've read through here multiple times, and I'm still grappling with the meaning behind it all. You might say, of well, it's obvious what it means! I understand the literal meaning of it. What I'm working through is the personal revelation of what these words mean. These words have become really, quite powerful to me of late. Yes, I still don't fully "get" them, but I can say that they are working and moving in my heart.

As I was reading through this passage of scripture verse 21-26 really struck me. Paul was honestly dealing with these thoughts. Verses 22b-24 stood out to me because I could tell by the wording and the straight-forwardness of the tone that Paul meant this, he was really struggling with these thoughts, these words, these feelings. He wanted to be with Christ! Now!

I think as Christians, we all long to be with Christ. That's healthy, we need to feel that longing. Something that gets pushed to the side though is that while we are on this Earth, we are here to continue Christ's mission. We are here to help His kingdom flourish. So whether we live or die, we are for Christ. Christ should eminate from our entire being.

To live is Christ, and to die is gain. My hope is that for me to live, is Christ.


Brianna