A Journey...

I read through Philippians today and as I did, I began to see in Paul’s words some semblance of what Pastor Steven must go through quite regularly. He spends his whole life, nearly everything he has to give, to reach and disciple lost students; to reach a generation of people who have grown up in a world of regimented opposition to the gospel he is teaching, only to see them walk, sometimes run, away from what he has taught them. Paul talks in Philippians 2 about needing the church to continue to work out their own salvation, even when he is absent from them.

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12, 13 ESV)”

I have new respect for the way Pastor must feel, both the air of defeat when his former students fall away, and the joy of seeing them succeed both in life and in furthering their walk with The Lord. I’ve seen countless times when he will talk about a student who is continuing to follow the path even outside of his mentorship and his eyes will light up with the pride and joy of getting to see that his work is not in vain. Most recently with Ashley Bowden and the work she has done as a campus missionary. Paul, to his own credit, had the same feelings at hearing good news from the churches he helped found:

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:12-16 ESV)”

Perhaps a bit less grumbling or questioning would make a more meaningful resolution this year than any other I could attempt. I’d much rather someday be a source of joy for a man who has done nothing but bring me closer to God, than to be a source of disappointment or regret.
Just my thoughts for today.