Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)
Paul wrote the book of Philippians during his second journey to Philippi, where he found an invaluable environment of love and support in comparison to the other places he is known to travel to within Scripture. Unlike many of Paul’s letters, his address to the church of Philippi is full of thanksgiving and gratitude. For him, Philippi was clearly a place of comfort, joy and stability, similar to how I feel about the greater community of Goshen.
When I first read this verse, it reminded me of the many things I wish I could publicly announce in indebtedness to this place and these people who have impacted me in powerful ways as well. But most importantly, Paul’s emphasis on the importance of loving one another with more depth and understanding than that of yesterday is something we should convict ourselves to in the same sort of acknowledgment. When I reflect on the love I have experienced while being a student at Goshen College, I am overwhelmed, yet heartbroken for those who have not been shown a similar model of Christ’s love all over the globe. I cannot help but question if I, as a global citizen and passionate learner, am helping spread the equal, unconditional love that Paul encouraged of the church of Philippi in this letter. If not, how can I use my gifts to do so? If yes, how can I do more of it?
I would encourage each of you to go out on a limb today and remind somebody that you support them in a way that you have neglected to communicate to them lately. As Paul promises, you will be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” Amen.
Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)
I thank my God every time I remember you, 4constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, 5because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
7It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.