Enjoy

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6

In this passage of scripture, Paul is writing to the church of Philippi. Notably, Philippi was Roman colony that was responsible for imprisoning and beating Paul and Silas on their second missionary journey. It was also, however, the place where Lydia became the first Christian convert in Europe, and where the very jailer watching over Paul became a follower of Jesus (Acts 16).

While Paul was treated very unjustly in Philippi, his message in Philippians seems to suggest that he wasn’t weighed down by the bad things that happened. Rather, he remembered the Philippians with fondness and THANKED God every time he thought of them.

I find Paul’s example in this passage of scripture to be quite remarkable. In my own life, I have a hard time thinking positively about people who have simply said something bad about me. It’s hard for me to imagine joyfully remembering people who have done something as extreme as Paul’s imprisonment.

Paul had an ability to look past the negative. He saw people in a way that was deeper than the surface, human perception. He likely reflected on moments like Lydia and the jailer’s conversion, and thought about the great potential that Philippi possessed.

Personally, Paul’s example really challenges me to try to love people better. I want to see people in the way that God does (like Paul did), not focusing on what they have done wrong, but feeling grateful for their good qualities. I want to notice the beginning of a “good work” that God is doing in people, and be able to pray for continued blessing upon them.

In the same way, I hope you are challenged to enjoy people more. While it is certainly easier sometimes to just point out what is wrong in others, we must remember that God’s creation is always beautiful. Likewise, let us always seek to see people in a way that gives credit and honor to the Creator.   

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: Brigit Edwards