Servant of Christ

25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Philippians 1:25-26

Again I am struck by the other person's centredness of Paul. Go back a few verses and we were invited into his personal wrestle - pulled between the joy and heaven and the needs of earth.

And here is a man who has a clear vision of heaven. He sees the joy before him. To be with the Lord who saved Him and to be free from the war that rages between saint and sinner both internally and externally. To no longer have to suffer as he has.

And yet, Paul is convinced that he will remain. Why?

Well, not so that he can finish a series of books or see his family one more time. But so that he can continue with God’s people encouraging them in their progress and joy - so that God would be glorified as more people boast in Him.
It reminds me of a prayer I heard of a Christian man after he got news of cancer. His prayer was that God’s will be done but that if God were to grant him more years - let it be for the sake of service to God’s people.

This is a great challenge to us all. Is this why you are on earth? Do you live to serve others? How could you live more like this?

For Today:

• Why are you here?
• What do you find so hard about living for God’s purposes and for others?
• What is one thing you could change to live for others?

Pray: Praise the Father for the life He gives. Give thanks for Jesus who bought our lives with the price of His blood. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you live for the sake of others that God would be glorified in your life.