Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
This is the second year that Kristie and I have lived in our own place for Christmas. It’s fun to see how we’re already beginning to establish little traditions that are different from the way either of our parents celebrated the season. One of the greatest differences that I’ve noticed so far is that the Christmas cards come in the mail addressed to us rather than our parents. Walking into our apartment after work the other night, I was surprised to see how many we had received. They were all lined up on our fireplace mantle and, as I looked through the cards, they proved to be a wonderful reminder of family and friends too far away to visit this Christmas.
Although the book of Philippians isn’t a Christmas card, I get the same feeling when I read Paul’s greeting to his old friends. It should serve as an inspiration to us, teaching us how important it is to consistently live a godly life. Paul rejoiced greatly in remembering the Philippians. Their participation in the gospel was not only noticeable, but it was consistent as well, “from the first day until now.”
I wonder how people remember me? When my name comes up in conversation, or when someone finds my picture in an old yearbook, what’s the first thing that comes to their mind? Do they remember my witness for Christ? Do they laugh or do they simply keep on turning pages? While the responses will very depending on the level of friendship I had with them, it is my hope that all who remember me, will remember me as a godly individual. This will never be possible if my godliness is not as consistent as that of the Philippians.
I challenge you to think of your future today. Make it your goal to live a godly life twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Most importantly, remember that in doing so, it’s not as much for your own remembrance as it is for Christ’s.
*smiles* That was a very good devotional. I think about these things all the time. I want to be thought of as that God-fearing young woman who never backed down for Christ. My actions speak louder than any words I could ever speak. While many may find my morals and values silly, others respect me and still others admire me. And I also can't wait until someday I am starting my own life with my future husband that the Lord has for me somewhere. The way you began this devotional really was touching, made me think of my future husband and how happy I'll be with him…Thank you. God Bless you and your lovely wife.
I'm so glad Christmas is a happy time for you. It's not so happy for some. My husband's dad walked out on their family during my husband's teen years, and every Christmas he subconsciously relives that pain. That same man had an affair on me at Christmastime five years ago, and yesterday (Christmas again) he told me he didn't love me that that he was leaving me. Christmas is not a happy time for me anymore. I've been thrown away too many times at Christmas.
I wish I could be there for you and hold you right now. I can't think of a pain much worse than having the one man you love…do such a thing…and say such things. He may have been hurt when he was young but that is no reason for him to leave and abandon you. I also never said Christmas was a "happy" time for me. However, it is a JOYOUS time. Why? Because it celebrates my Creator's birth and without him life would be even worse than it already is. I feel lonely a lot. I sometimes wish I could be held and loved…but I know God loves me and that my future husband exists somewhere. I just pray for God's plan in my life because I don't want to marry the wrong man and have him leave me or have an unhappy marriage. Marriages aren't easy but if you've married the one God intended for you to…then the both of you can work out your problems. However, in your case this was NOT YOUR FAULT AT ALL. You are in my prayers. I just wish I could give you a big hug and be there to talk with you. You aren't alone in your pain either. Many others are going through what you are. Pray for them as well as yourself.