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Philippians 1:22
If I am to go on living in
the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me.
Yet what shall I choose?
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October 27 Living
for Fruit Of the lives of all of
the apostles, Paul possibly had the most
difficult. He was beaten, imprisoned,
shipwrecked, and ultimately killed for his faith
in Christ. But Paul kept everything in
perspective. Paul didn't look for death as a
way to escape the pain and persecution that he
endured while spreading the gospel over the
Roman world. But he recognized that his
death meant that he would be at home with Christ
which was something that he looked forward to.
As long as Paul was living however, he knew that
there was work to be done. Paul remained
alive in order to do whatever tasks that God had
for him to do. Sometimes Christians reach a
certain age and think that they have fulfilled
their duty to God and stop laboring for the
Lord. But this is far from the way God
intended. While age brings on physical
limitations, it also brings wisdom.
Elders of the church - not the position but
those who have been there longest - must find
ways to pass the torch to a younger generation
but always new ways to serve the Lord.
This can be done as advisors, teachers, or
simply praying for others. No matter what age
we are, if we are still drawing breath, God can
use us and the church can gain from what we have
to offer. |
