An ample cause

You are where you are right now for a reason. I want you to believe that. Do you ever think that things will be easier when you are gone? Or for me, sometimes I think about how excited I am to get to heaven someday and that I wish I was there right now. 

I never really thought about that being an issue at all until I read this passage in Philippians chapter 1. 

I mean seriously think about it. How much better would things be in heaven right now. You would feel no pain, you would not experience sadness. The only thing that would be on your mind all day every day is worshipping our Father. Things are going to be so much easier when that day comes so why can't it come already? 

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and to be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:21-26) 

Paul is saying that for him to die is gain. Much like what I talked about above. To die is gain because that means eternal life with our Father in heaven. Paul than writes that to live in the flesh, means more fruitful labor for him. He is saying that if he is still alive on earth, there is fruitful labor for him meaning that he can share Christ with thousands of people and he understands that. It's difficult for Paul to decide what to choose. He is hard pressed between the two. He has a desires to depart and to be with Christ because he knows that is better, but he also knows that if he remains in the flesh that is more necessary. If Paul was gone, who would share and spread the gospel like he does? Convinced that being in the flesh is more necessary, Paul knows that he will remain and continue to live the life he does so that others can have an ample cause of glory in Christ Jesus.

Did that all make sense to you? My encouragement to you is that you are where you are supposed to be right now. Nowhere else. When we don't live in the moment it is easy to get wrapped up in other things that aren't nearly as important. Laying in this hotel bed in Kentucky, is where I am supposed to be right now. Wherever you are sitting reading this is where you are supposed to be right now. 

Yeah, I would love to be in heaven right now, but there is still work to do on this earth. There are still people who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and for us, to live a life where we have the opportunity to share to give people that hope and joy I am happy about! What an incredible opportunity we have! 

Where you are right now, you have the opportunity to give people an ample cause to glory in Jesus Christ.