To Live is Christ?

While in prison for preaching the gospel, the Apostle Paul, wrote these words, For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NIV)

I think this short sentence, written 2,000 years ago by a Christian preacher jailed for his faith, should make us think very hard about what we center our lives around.

If we claim to be Christ followers, most of us know the correct answer is 'Jesus'. Do most of us, however, really believe it or live it out?

I think, much of the time for me, to live is my son or husband, or to live is to check off my 'to do' list. Jesus ends up being an addition after a comma, or maybe even after a period. I'm doing things because of Christ (like writing this blog for instance) but much of the time I'm so busy that ministry and parenting (and many other things that should be cherished and enjoyed) end up being 'tasks' I just want to finish so I can move on to the next thing.

Have you experienced this?

I think that maybe the best way for us to have a life truly centered in Christ is to slow down, jettison those things that keep us busy but don't make our lives meaningful (or even if they are meaningful, keep us from being centered in Christ), and make some space in our souls for God to move.

Chesney Szaniszlo