"To Live Is Christ"

They say quietly looking down. There was a sadness on their face and as they looked up, you could see a lostness in their eyes. Finally, the wife spoke softly, "I feel so empty inside. Every thing seems to cave in on us. What little life I have, it seems something takes it away each day. I that weren't enough, our finances are over-whelming. There is no joy in our lives."

Have you ever been in such a position? Why are so many, and I am speaking to those in Christ, so empty? Why do things drain us? The answer might surprise you. It is simply because we do not look to Jesus for our strength and help! Things and circumstances have more impact than the death of Jesus. Our faith waivers and we focus on hurts, disappointments and difficulties and allow those to determine things in our lives rather than Christ. The longer things and circumstances stay in our heart, faith is slowly eroded away.

Read the book of Philippians. Paul wrote it from prison, facing a life or death sentence. How could he rejoice? How could he be so thankful? What did he have a firm grasp on that we only speak about? His life and love centered around his Lord, Jesus Christ. He knew his circumstances did not effect or cancel God's intentions. All spiritual blessings are in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3)! They are ours in abundance despite our circumstances. Faith reaches out to God and Christ. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21) There was Paul's hope and heart. His circumstances were not obstacles in his way but opportunities to share in the grace of God (Phil. 1:12-18). When we allow our circumstances to control our happiness and contentment, it robs us of God's life and grace. God did not save us for us to be overcome by our circumstances. Our tendencies is to look at our problems, find a "woe is me" attitude and our spiritual eyes become dimmed. Christ and every spiritual blessing takes a back seat and leaves us with wallowing in our failures, troubles and faith is being lost and might not be recovered.

When every thing appears to be caving in on you, especially things in which you have no control over, that's when we need to grasp hold of the grace of God. Opportunities to grow abound during these times (Phil. 1:12-13). Circumstances never stop God's intentions! Trust in Him! Our circumstances do not deflect every spiritual blessing. Believe in Him! When circumstances are piled one on top of the other, when people do things that deliberately hurt you, you have two choices: (1) Complain about it and become depressed or (2) Reach for God's grace (Phil. 1:15-17). Notice the direction of Paul's attention (Phil. 1:18). Difficulties in life are to push us toward the resources of God (Phil. 1:19-20). Paul saw Christ Jesus as his hope and was committed to exalting Christ. Where did it take him? "To live is Christ!" (Phil. 1:21) To continue to live in this life, with all the difficulties involved, Paul saw the benefit of helping others (Phil. 1:22). When we don't get the best situations in life, we complain and wallow in self pity! It will always rob you of life, joy and the grace of God and you end up with nothing but misery!!

When a crisis hits or a circumstance that is difficult, your reaction will be toward Christ, God and His grace or become dejected. Whom do you magnify: Christ, looking for the opportunity to grow or complain and become depressed about your troubles? One is faith growing, the other is faith being lost.