But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being confirmed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3.7-11
Do I really treasure Jesus in any form close to what He has designed me to…considering that there is value surpassing anything else in knowing Christ Jesus my Lord? Do I slow down from the million things on my to-do list (good, just and godly responsibilities I have) and savor Him in the midst of the rat race of any given day? I’m learning that I don’t nearly enough.
When I do, not only does He become my joy through that day, but He carries me through every part – whether routine, highly complicated or joyful tasks. He colors how I see every person, every circumstance. Even more than that, I begin to realize that He is whispering in the nuances of every circumstance, conversation and even thoughts that I have. He is drawing me closer to Him, inviting me to enjoy Him and release my stresses into His care. And then, even in the midst of that busyness, somehow He brings His glory into the midst of it and He becomes my inexpressible joy through it.
I want this to be every day…not just the once in a while that it seems to be.
In this context, I’m also reminded of our Father’s heart for the Nations – that He is drawing all peoples to Himself and offering them life, hope and peace far outweighing anything that anything or anybody in this world can give them. He is offering to awaken each one to their full reason for being created. And so He will be glorified by every nation, tribe and tongue.
Then I remember this work that He has given each of us in His Body to do…whether it is among other peoples or our own people. They are right here among us – every day in all of our activities.
Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. – 2 Corinthians 5.20
God has placed us in the exact places and among the exact people where He intends us not only to let His love live out, but for us to invest deeply into those we are around. To care deeply and love them. To let the light of the gospel shine through us, and to obediently speak of His love with those we interact with every day. We are ambassadors for Christ. God’s Spirit wants and intends to live through us and speak through us His invitation and pleading to a dead world to be reconciled to Him, and be brought to life.
This is the most authentic and humble life, realizing that we deserve nothing, but God has made us His children co-heirs with Jesus. What greater, more humbling joy can there be? This is what life is, friends…and if we are really realizing it and living in its reality – it is contagious!
May it be true in my life more each day, and in yours too.
