Philippians 4:21 – 23 “Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
Paul penned these words approximately thirty years after Christ’s death. Thirty years . . . a lifetime for some. Yet, what a difference a lifetime can make! Christ, who was brought to trial and condemned to death before Caesar, was now being worshiped by members of Caesar’s household! This probably included slaves, guards, and civil servants of every kind.
Thirty years ago I was in grade school. Thirty years from now I will most likely be retired. What I do with each day in between is my choice. How I spend my time here has the power to make a difference, to change lives, to altar the direction of generations to come. Or, if I choose, things can stay pretty much the same, despite my time here. It all depends on how I choose to spend my days, my weeks, my years, my life.
We each have that choice, you know. We can spend our days, our lives for ourselves. Or, we can spend our lives pursuing a loftier goal, a higher calling. At the end of our time on this earth, we can look back and see a lot of “stuff” we have acquired. Or, we can look back and see that lives were changed, people are different, and the world is a better place because of our time here.
Paul could have used his education, his family background, his abilities to further himself politically. But instead, he poured out his life for Christ. Why? Because he knew Christ. He knew Him. He had experienced a lifetime without Christ – the first part of his life. And then, he met the One who changed his life, who put everything into perspective, who forgave his sins and wiped away his guilt and gave him joy and a reason to live. And he didn’t want to keep such a wonderful, life-changing secret to himself.
Now, thirty years later, because of Paul’s influence, there were people in all walks of life – Jews and Gentiles, slaves and freemen, even members of Caesar’s own household – who were Christians! Oh, that my life and your life would be spent so well! Where will we be thirty, twenty, ten, even five years from now? Who will be different because of our walk here? It all begins with a step. And I pray that each step you take, that I take will bring someone, somewhere closer to knowing the freedom, the joy, the peace that can only be found through Christ!
Dear Father, Oh, I want to live for You! Please guide my steps. Use my life as You will, to bring people to Your love.
Amen
What a beautiful post and tribute to the life Paul lived for his Jesus.
Thank you again for inspiring us to live on a higher and deeper level, to live the eternal in the midst of our present.
You are a gift and are living out the very goals you talk about in this post through your writings.
Love,
Jlo
He does use you, Renae. And God bless you for being His vessel. I thank Him, and you for your willingness to be used for His glory. The enrichment of the lives that you touch by your earnestness you may not realize in your lifetime. I trust one day though that you will. I believe the ripple effect that your life has had on others by your desire to be what God has designed you to be, is great. It is something that I aspire to. You are such a great encourager! And I wish to encourage you. Keep going Sister! Your work for Him is our blessing. May He bless you everyday with abundance in all that you have need of and desire. Amen.