Philippians 1:21
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.
How is your joy lately? Is your life bringing you up or down? Are relationships filling you up or leaving lacking? Is your job providing a paycheck or proving a nuisance? What is happening in your life right now and how is it affecting you emotionally? External circumstances often will impact your daily happiness. One minute you can be on top of the world, then next minute you receive a text message or email and you come crashing down.
That’s true however of happenings in life. Happenings impact our happiness. They do not have to determine your joy. Joy is deeper. Joy is constant because it’s a fruit of God’s Spirit working and present in your heart. Joy isn’t based on happenings. It’s based on Christ and what he has done. Joy is anchored in heavenly things, not things here on earth. That’s where Philippians 1 comes in.
Paul wrote Philippians when he was in jail. Those are some pretty bad circumstances. Yet, as he writes, his words reveal a steady, deep-seated joy. To live is Christ. Yes, in jail he had Christ. Nothing changed about his status with God, Christ’s presence in his life, or God’s love for him. Living is always good because every day on earth is a gracious opportunity to enjoy God’s forgiveness, grace, and opportunities to serve. All that is true through Christ.
His heavenly destination was certain and so if this day was the end, that was OK. To die meant eternal life, heaven, salvation from the up’s and down’s of this world, and eternal peace. That’s what gave Paul a deep-seated, steady joy. Happenings will happen. Joy can’t be altered because it isn’t based on life here. It’s based on Christ.
The same is true for you. Live today with the joy of a relationship with Christ, a new identity, peace with God, and a God-given purpose. Today is a day of grace and opportunity to live for God. Eternity is set for you through Christ. All that is yours through your Savior. I pray that truth for today and your eternal home grows your joy deeper and deeper.
Jesus won a great victory for you and that victory belongs to you. You are champions!
Also from this week: Listen to Pastor’s sermon on the Transfiguration.
