As Long As I'm Here!

“Well, as long as I’m here I might as well….” How many times have we heard or even spoken such words? To me the words convey a sense of annoyance or maybe even a bit of resentment. “As long as I’m here I might as well get started.” “As long as I’m here I might as well help out.” As long as I’m here I might as well practice.” As long as I’m here I might as well _______.” Are they words offered from a perspective of really desiring to be somewhere else and involved in some other activity?

Yesterday morning I was struck again by the attitude of Paul as expressed in his letter to the church at Philippi. There we read…

“(21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22) If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” ( Philippians 1:21-23 ESV)

Since “teEn-MAIL” began going out in March of 1998, I have referred to and focused on most of this text a number of times. However, looking back through my records I found I had only quoted verse 22 twice and even then talked all around it rather than from it. I may have addressed the concept from other passages of Scripture, but it strikes me that as I have focused on the verses around it and the glorious anticipation of the glories of Heaven, I was missing an important point right in the middle of it all. Perhaps that is descriptive of our life focus at times. We get so focused on what is to come -- and we should continually bear in mind this realm is not all there is to our existence -- that we forget what is to be focused on where we are RIGHT NOW!

Again note Paul’s statement in the twenty-second verse.
“IF I AM TO LIVE IN THE FLESH THAT MEANS FRUITFUL LABOR FOR ME.” ( Philippians 1:22 ESV)

As long as Paul was in the flesh where was his focus? It was on FRUITFUL LABOR. That is what living in this realm meant to Paul. Even imprisonment could not cause his labors in the Lord to cease. (note Colossians 4:3-4 and 2 Timothy 2:9)

Are we continually seeking FRUITFUL LABOR? Branches and trees that cease BEARING FRUIT are destined to be removed. (note John 15:1-2 and Luke 13:6-9) As long as we are alive we are to keep God’s purpose for our existence in mind. May we strive to develop the focus of Paul that appears to have naturally defined living as meaning FRUITFUL LABOR; labor not with resentment, but rather a cheerful acknowledgement that as long as we are here it is what we are focused toward.

Have a great day KEEPING LIFE PROPERLY DEFINED!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Attitudes