Paul was under house arrest when he wrote Philippians, facing possible execution. And he's writing about how living and dying are both good because both are Christ. I'm reading this from my comfortable life, but it's haunting me.
What does it mean that my life is literally defined by Christ? Not that Christ is part of my life, or Christ is my foundation, but Christ IS my life? I work, I parent, I build relationships - but the organizing principle of all of it is Christ. That means I'm not clinging to any of it as ultimate.
That's terrifying and liberating at the same time. Terrifying because I realize how much of my sense of self is actually wrapped up in things - my job title, being a good parent, being seen a certain way. Liberating because if Christ is my life, then I can actually let go of controlling all those other narratives. They matter, but they're not ultimate. That changes everything about how I move through my day.
No comments yet. Be the first.