I spent four years of my life at Taylor University in Upland, IN as a college student. I can vividly recall the day my parents dropped me off for my freshman year - I was inexpressibly excited, but I was scared and anxious about the unknown. Everything was new and nothing was familiar. I was unsure that I could ever call this strange place home. I cried the first night not knowing what was in store. But you know, I never cried again, for Taylor University became home for me, and the roots of my heart became firmly planted early during my freshman year. I can't begin to express how difficult it was for me to leave that home in May of 1995. There comes a point, however, when every student must leave college (some take a little longer than others), but I wasn't ready to go. I loved my home. Despite that, God knew my heart and relocated me only 30 minutes away, planting me in Muncie, IN. I had my first job as a youth director at a PCA church. I was showered with love upon arrival there - the kids, their parents, the staff, and many other church members greeted me and accepted me as part of the family. As much as I continued to miss Taylor, I realized that Westminster Presbyterian Church was my new home. And the roots began to grow deeply and did so for four years.
As I look back on those eight years of my life, the emotions that surface when I think of Taylor University and Westminster Presbyterian Church probably overlap to some degree with Paul's feelings for the Philippians. Even within a few short verses, Paul's words and the emotions in which they convey make Philippi sound like home for him. He expresses his gratefulness for them. Whenever they were brought to mind, with joy he would thank God for them. I would venture to say that the joy meant that his experience with them overall was positive. Furthermore, there seemed to be a unity and partnership in the gospel between Paul and them. A partnership is two-sided, meaning the Philippians were doing what they could to contribute in the work of the gospel, even apart from Paul's presence among them.
It seems that Paul thought of the Philippians often. When you are away from those whom you love, it hurts to think about them. There's a longing - an ache in your heart as you desire to be with them. Paul took this and rather than sulking, he thanked God for them and prayed for them. I'm certain that Paul had fatherly thoughts for them since he helped birth this church in Philippi. In a sense, he was away from his children.
Do you have memories of different homes in your life? Feel free to share them with us. And do take some time today to pray with thanksgiving for those places and the people who were/are there. Perhaps there is a relationship that needs to be mended - pray that God would restore and bring peace.
For tomorrow ...
Read Philippians 1:6.
- How is Paul (or anyone else for that matter) confident in God? In other words, how would you explain to someone that God is trustworthy?
- What is the work referred to here that God is doing in the lives of the Philippians?
- What is the day of Christ Jesus?
Until tomorrow, grace and peace to you.
1 comment:
Being someone who has moved A LOT, I've left many homes behind. I'm so glad we've finally settled down! But one of the blessings of being mobile is that I have found that God's family is big and it's everywhere! (well, everywhere I've lived.) In every town we've lived in we've been blessed with knowing people who love God with all their heart and welcome new people like they were family.
And then there are the people who haven't really gone anywhere, but have, for a multitude of reasons, disappeared from your life. You've just kind of moved on in different directions. I miss them, too.
Anyway, I guess I miss a lot of people. But I know it's only temporary and that helps.
I'm thinking about your question "how would you explain to someone that God is trustworthy?" Great question. I'll have fun chewing on that one today.
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