Philippians 1:22-24 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 
 
WHAT do you love to do? Can you always do those things you enjoy, even have a passion to do? Or are you responsible for some work or commitments that keep you from your preferences? Parents’ lives can be and usually are that way. Parenting requires loving one’s spouse and children and desiring to do things with them. But we also have responsibilities to work and care for them. A responsible husband and father doesn’t always get to do what he prefers because he must work sometimes at jobs he does not like in order to assure his family will have what they need each day.
    Paul’s thoughts about his future, though, go beyond our daily lives. He is considering his eternal desires in contrast to his work on earth. His greatest desire is to live with Jesus. But, his greatest responsibility is to stay on earth to minister the gospel. Paul knows he must live into his responsibility, even as he prefers heaven.
    Paul is living out his words in Philippians 1: 21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Everything about Paul’s life is about dying to own desires to live into his Lord’s will. After years of a very emotionally and physically difficult ministry, Paul could easily consider say, “I’m done, Jesus. Take me home.”
    But instead he’s willing to joyfully live into the work Jesus has yet for him to do. Paul knows life is not about his preferences but about his responsibilities in Jesus. He will submit to his ministry as long as he is alive. This, too, must be our attitude. Too many people retire from work and also retire from Jesus. Or church leaders get tired and quit, thinking< “I’ve done enough.” Instead, let us all consider we may be at the start of a new opportunity to serve Jesus. Each day brings something new if we are alert and prepared for what God assigns us. We must be of a mindset to prefer Jesus’ work until the day we die.
    After all, we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is heaven.” Remember, God assigns you to advance his will on earth.
 
Joy Link: What preference do you lay down to pick up Jesus’ will for your life?

Philippians 1:19-21 “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” 
 
WHAT do you do when you don’t know what to do? As Paul was in a physical prison facing possible death, you could be in a spiritual prison, uncertain of God’s life for you. What does the Lord God desire? Why is life, even as you confess faith in Christ, so difficult? Frustrated, you don’t even know how to pray because your circumstances seem so hopeless. Indeed, what do you do when you don’t know what to do?
    Paul taches you here. He begins in his prison house to confesses a complete trust in Jesus. Chained in Rome, he is unchained in his hope. As he affirmed “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Paul knew his life was under the eternal care and authority of the risen Savior – the One who came to conquer fear and death that had infected God’s perfect world.
    Eventually, this imprisonment ended with Paul’s freedom. Learn here, that Paul did not set his mind on himself. He knew to focus on his own circumstances would rob his joy in Jesus. Instead, he set his mind on Jesus’ great love for him. Faithfully trusting Jesus for his life in Heaven, Paul fully gave to Jesus his life on earth.
    What do you do when you don’t know what to do? How do you respond in the really hard circumstances of your life? Do as Paul. Live with all boldness, so now also Christ will be magnified in (your) body. Living for Christ is gain beyond expectation.
   
Joy Link: The Lord Jesus is bigger than any circumstance.