ἀλλὰ εἰ καὶ σπένδομαι ἐπὶ τῇ θυσίᾳ καὶ λειτουργίᾳ τῆς πίστεως ὑμῶν χαίρω καὶ συγχαίρω πᾶσιν ὑμῖν
But even if I am poured out as a drink-offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I myself rejoice and I rejoice with every one of you.
In the past few days God has been centering me on his Potter's wheel. Corners of my soul where there have been rebel outposts of self-centered pride and man-exalting fear have been targets of a counter-insurgency by the gracious spirit of God to place me humbly before his sculpting hands. I can't exactly say that it has been entirely fun, but the awareness of God's love to be at work in me is as rewarding as it is uncomfortable.
The passage above is a beautiful example of how God arrests our prideful focus for observable results with examples of people who have had a willingness to sacrifice themselves before the Lord and let that be enough. Paul wanted the Philippians to shine, holding forth the word of life and living together without murmuring and disputes for the glory of God's gospel. But if they did not, he would rejoice that he was able to pour himself out as a drink-offering (maybe like David did with the water) before the Lord. He was Content to know that his life was a sweet display of worship for God's rejoicing. So, again I find myself guilty of loving myself and the praise of others too much, and loving my God too little. I am a deeper sinner than I thought, but thanks be to Go Jesus is a greater Savior than I thought as well.
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