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. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith. (Philippians 1:21-25)
What’s going to happen to you today? I don’t know. You don’t either. What’s going to happen next week? Next month? Next year? Who knows? One of the most troubling parts of life is all the unknowns. Do the “what ifs” race through your mind? “What if there’s an accident? What if she says ‘No’? What if we lose? What if it’s cancer?” We don’t know what’s going to happen. So we better be anxious, right?
No! For the believer in Jesus, there are only good options. As Paul faced an uncertain future, Jesus calmed his anxious heart: “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.”
Do you see what I mean? There are only good options! Two good options. As Paul looked to the future, he could continue living. That would be good! Why? God had a purpose for him—“fruitful labor.” He would live for Christ. That’s good! Or, Paul could die. That would be good too! Why? He would live with Christ in heaven. That’s “better by far”! No matter what happened, Paul knew there were only good options: “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Those same two good options are true for you. I don’t know what’s going to happen next in your life, but I know this: Either you are going to keep on living to God’s glory, or you are going to die and be with Christ in heaven. Which is good? Both! Live today with trust that in Christ there are only good options.
Dear Jesus, the future seems uncertain, until we read your Word. You give us the confidence that there are only good options. May we live each day for you, until we live with you in heaven. Amen.
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