Philippians 2: 21-24
21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 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 for you (NRSV).
In writing to the Philippians, Paul finds himself in a tough predicament. He is under house arrest due to his preaching the gospel and is now getting word that other “pastors” are maligning him for it. There are those that are standing by him, and he is writing to the Philippians to help them keep their faith and perspective regarding their own situation.
Paul is torn in his view of the future. He knows that his execution is a real possibility, yet he believes that if he is set free, he will have a continuing fruitful ministry (especially in relation to the Philippian church). However, Paul settles on the fact that his execution would be far better. No, I do not believe that Paul is a masochist, or that he would not have had great trepidation about the whole execution process. What Paul relates to us is a mature understanding of what really matters: Jesus Christ and the hope that we have in Him.
Paul is not more mature than us in his perspective because God loves him more, or because He is more impressed with Paul ministry than with ours (I mean, come on, his story made it into the Bible!!!). Paul is not more mature because he had built up more good works than us, and therefore had an elevated status. No, I believe that Paul's maturity was found in his clear perspective of this life and the life to come; in his desire to live within a “redemptive reality” not caught up thinking that this life is what life is really all about. He saw Christ at work in both realms, but preferred to be in the unhindered presence of the Lord.
Also, please notice that his desire to stay with the Philippians was not because he still wanted to try skydiving, reach a few more milestones, or see his favorite vacation spot one more time. No, his desire to stay in the temporal realm was in relation to his love for the Philippians and their growth in the Lord.
As a church we have been through quite a time in the last six months. Illnesses that have come to a head, unexpected surgeries (in all age groups), lingering sickness, and the unexpected deaths of loved-ones. While we want to pray to the Lord in regards to His protection, and know that He will bring us through this time as a church committed to Him, some of what we are facing can help us focus on what really matters...IF we see it as an opportunity for such. Please don't misunderstand me. I am not minimizing our pain, the grief, and the stress that we have all been dealing with. What I am suggesting is that in the midst of it, the Lord is working and “growing” us as a people of God...IF we receive it as such through the power of the Holy Spirit. An eternal perspective does not see our limited engagement with the presence of Jesus in this life to be “the new heavens and the new earth”, but finds the true “new heavens and new earth” in the eternal unhindered presence of God. In this life, we “see through a glass darkly” and only experience the presence of God in limited (although, glorious) ways. His presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a “down-payment” not the whole inheritance.
Our God is with us, so we have hope. His Spirit indwells us, so we have the strength to carry on. Let us seek Him and hunger after righteousness, praying and meditating on His precepts so that we may truly know his peace. Grant us this gift as you have promised us, Oh, Lord.