So I’ve been thinking a lot about something that came out in the sermon last Sunday.
I was discussing Paul’s writing in the book of Philippians where he states:
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:21_24
The thing that stuck with me was the thought that Paul’s reason for remaining alive, instead of being finished and with God in heaven, was the dependence of others on him. As Paul said, “it is more necessary for you…”
In other words, the need of other people (the “for you”) is what necessitates our being. We have a reason for living, to labor on behalf of others. We exist as God’s agents of love in this world.
Paul says this another way:
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18_19
This is heavy stuff on one hand, but on the other it is utterly freeing. If we want to know God’s will for our lives it is simply to be an extension of his working hand in this world.
The question is, “Who is your you?” Who is it that needs your life? What needy group gives you reason for remaining on earth? What needs necessitate your being?
Again, who is your you?
