Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God...

...shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life. 

Then I can boast in the day of Christ that I didn't run or labor for nothing.

Philippians 2:14-16 CSB

Lockdown lessons with Paul!

Maybe Paul is wondering if he'll ever get out of this lockdown. 

And what's on his mind that if he was writing his memoirs is most important?

Not his achievements.

Not his people's achievements.

But who his people are. 

Their character, the way they live in the world. 

This is so counter to our current western view that its all about my achievement.

All about me.

Paul says it's all about you.

Who you are 

Who you've become

Who you're holding onto in faith.

That's his measure of success. 

His stance is communal. It's us.

He's inclusive. 

He's about lifting others up, to see them shine.

Here he's living out the gospel, loving God, and loving the people God has brought into his life, wanting to see them thrive and flourish.

Paul's not lost in this, he's still Paul, but as this letter is part of our Bible, you and I have become part of his measure of success. 

Not what we've done, but who we are and who we're becoming, holding firm to the Word of Life.

#wordoflife

#itsnotmebutus

#loveGod

#lovepeople