August 31 - Philippians 1: More than Trusting

"Then know this as you read [Philippians].  Paul's life was not easy.  Shortly after he met My Son, he was shown 'how much he must suffer' for [Christ's] cause (Acts 9:16).  Suffering is always difficult.  Paul suffered physically, and his consuming desire for genuine converts to become wise and passionate disciples was often frustrated.

"He wrote Philippians as well as Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon from prison, under house arrest in Rome for the crime of preaching the good news of [God's] plan. Like [Christ], though to an infinitely lesser degree, Paul was a man of sorrows (Philippians 2:27). 

"And yet he sang in prison....  Philippians is a love letter to his closest friends wrapped up in a song of joy.  Never assume, as many do, that the sorrows of this life, even the severest ones, are incompatible with the joy [God] gives."  (66LL)

Yesterday was not a day that I felt much joy.  An encounter with someone left an incredible feeling of emptiness that morphed into changing shapes of anger, frustration, sadness, guilt, and hopelessness.  My heart cried out to God, can you really transform people?  Do you truly have the power to heal chasms of brokenness and years of depraved living?

And for myself, more questions:  "Could I really pour Your Son's literal life out of my soul into someone else's when I see so much insecurity and defensiveness and self-protection and resentment and arrogant selfishness in mine?  Is that possible?  Is any of this possible?" (Crabb)   I didn't feel any possibilities yesterday and I feel little today.  I read these words in Philippians about suffering and prayer and love and life and there's only the tiniest spark of hope in my spirit.  Hasn't my suffering and others' suffering been enough?

I hear God answering:  Enough for what?  Enough for you to come to the end of yourself?  Enough for your emptiness to "become a consuming thirst to know My Son?"  Enough for the corruption of your soul to "transform into overwhelming gratitude for My Sons' forgiveness?"  (Crabb)   Only suffering brings the emptiness and brokenness where joy can grow.

There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting.  (1:29) 

 I'm only beginning to see...