Philippians 1:20-24, New International Version

“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 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.”

It is amazing how God works in each of our lives. He can change the perspectives we have on things in life; He can change our heart to make room to love others well, or even to love ourselves so that we can love others. He has the power to do so much! We think that it is a complicated thing, but it really is not some huge supernatural thing that needs to happen, it is just trusting Him, surrendering to Him. It makes all the difference.

We all are in different places in our walk with God. Really, it is so beautiful to see what He is doing in each person’s life! There isn’t anything He does that is too small or insignificant! He does amazing things in each of us and for each of us! I truly feel that God has been doing, and continues to do, a work in me. As I go through my days, often I hear people saying that they are ready to be caught up with Him in the clouds! They are ready to go if He would call them home…but not me. I have really had the scripture on my mind where Paul says, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 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: 20-24, NIV) I once had the thought process that if “the Lord came tomorrow” I was ready to go! But I feel that He has opened my eyes to see beyond that. God is the God of mercy. Each morning we wake up, it’s because of His mercy. This mercy is available so that those who are still lost, those who need to be reconciled to God, can still do so. The Bible tells us that He doesn’t wish for anyone to perish, but that all would be saved through His Son, Jesus Christ. So now the question for myself is, what do I need to do? I want people to know Christ. I want them to have this opportunity to reconcile and get right with the Lord, so when He does come, they are ready. I want people to experience the love that God has for them! There is still more for me to do on this earth, which is why I am still here.

So what do I do? I need to be sharing the gospel. I need to be sharing what God has done for me. I need to pray for others. I need to not be ashamed to share the gospel because someone might get offended or someone might treat me badly. This life is not the end. There is life after this life. We can spend it in one or two places—heaven or hell. For those who deny Christ, they will not make it to heaven.

When Samuel was given direction to anoint the next king of Israel, he went to a place, to a man, who had several sons. He thought that surely one of them would be the king, but God told him, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NIV)  David, who was the young man Samuel anointed as king, was known as a man after God’s heart. When He sees us, He sees our heart. Is our heart right with God? Are we really ready for the time when we will be caught up in the air? Is there still sin in your life that needs to be dealt with? Is there still someone you need to forgive? Don’t get so caught up in His return that you forget about your spiritual wellbeing.

There will be a time when Jesus will come…He will separate the sheep from the goats, and He will say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23) I don’t write these words to speak of condemnation or alarm, but to bring awareness. Make sure you are truly ready…have you done everything that God has wanted you to

do? Have you shared the gospel and what God has done in your life with everyone He wanted you to? This life isn’t about just receiving, but about giving. Jesus is instructing His disciples in Matthew 10:8 (NIV) when He says, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” They had freely received what God wanted them to have, now it was time to go out and share it with the world. Jesus gives us this same command at the end of Matthew when He says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV) We all have a part in discipleship. Let us trust the Holy Spirit, that dwells within us, to lead us in truth, to council us, and to remind us of what we have learned, so that we can teach others to obey Christ’s commands, so that one day, we can all be together at the marriage supper of the Lamb.