A Good Soldier

By Pastor Kevin

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
Philippians 1:22-24

Soldiers long for home. They long to be with their loved ones, to be at peace and rest. The Apostle Paul is facing trial and possible execution which might seem to be the worst of outcomes, but the truth is that death for Christians is a homecoming. The love we have for Christ and in Christ is made complete when we are with him forever.
At the same time, Paul has in mind the things of the Lord and believes his ministry and care for the Philippians and others is necessary. Like a good soldier he has the mission and his fellow soldiers in mind and so he is able to set aside his yearning for home, and for peace and rest with his Savior, to focus on the task Jesus gave to him.
The temptation for many of us is to go AWOL. Our affections for Jesus dim and our desire to labor on his behalf become obscured by temptations toward lesser things. Let’s continue to prayer for one another that we would desire to be with Jesus more than all  other desires and that we structure our thinking, our activities, and our lives to faithfully accomplish the mission God has set before us until we are called home to perfect peace and rest.

Our Father,
Deepen our affections for you! May we, like Paul, desire to be with You, but also humbly submit to your good plans. Help us to be faithful soldiers, advancing your kingdom purposes. Give us grace to accomplish all you have for us and helps us to extend grace to those who may lose their way. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done. Amen