S(Philippians 3:8) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord. For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
O
Paul suffered when things were taken from him or when he let things go. His inventory of losses was not limited to tangibles; it included his ambitions, social status, and treasured accolades...all the things that helped him rest contentedly as a good, respect-worthy person. All of that lost all value. His only true treasure, he learned, was receiving Jesus--coming to Him continually empty-handed and destitute before His indescribable generosity.
A
I hate to lose things--books, jobs, cars, friends, reputations (the good ones)...things I wanted to remember on time. I love to snuggle into my temporal securities, but Paul was right, losses help my faith appreciate. It is far better and far more secure to know that I know Christ as my all-sufficient, all-caring Lord.
P
Jesus, it seems true that the final stage of terminal illnesses includes letting go of things, relationships, and life. Some day, I'll do that in anticipation of my homecoming to Heaven, but until then, I'll enjoy all the things You give me and all the people You've given me to love. Even so, as Paul said, none of that compares with knowing You.
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