This past Sunday, I taught out of Philippians 1:21 “For me to live Christ, to die gain.”

I’d never taught on this verse because it always bothered me. The reason is bothered me was that most everyone I heard teach on it, talked about how much they were looking forward to “the gain.” All I heard was that they were looking forward to dying. I wasn’t. I didn’t want to die. I still don’t want to die.

I love life. I love being a husband, a father, a pastor, and a friend. I love teaching the Word, writing a blog. I love eating good food, laughing with friends, I love taking walks with my wife and watching folks grow in their own walk with the Lord.

A few years ago, I discovered this verse was not about dying rather it was about living. Paul loved living too! I don’t think he wanted to die. He wasn’t afraid to die. He knew death had been defeated and was not to be feared. He knew that death meant he left this life and began a new life with Christ. Whatever it would be like, it would be gain.

But until the time came for his death, he was going to live. He was going to run the race. He was going to fight the good fight. He was going to press on toward the prize.

Paul wasn’t going to lay down and wait to die. He was going to live until the very last breath.

How about you? Is Christ being seen in your living? Are you fighting the good fight? Pressing on toward the prize? Are you running the race?

My friend Fredrick Aguilar posted on his Face Book page the following: “If you still have a pulse, God still has a plan. Your story isn’t over!” I don’t know if this is original with him, or if it is borrowed. But it’s good stuff, thanks Fredrick for sharing it.

Don’t quit! Keep going. God will help you to live so that one day, you will gain!

Always in Pursuit!

Don