Philippians 1:1-18a
This past week, Southwood’s staff gathered together on a Tuesday morning for what is our regular weekly staffing meeting. Instead of meeting at church, we met offsite for a day of retreat-planning, growing, and being together as a staff. At the beginning of the day together, we prayed for members of Southwood (a practice we do each week) and listened to this scripture lesson (as we always read the upcoming Sunday’s scripture texts).
Afterwards, we paired up with another staff member; we then walked and talked.
We talked about the needs of our members, the projects we are working on for the coming year, and all the ways we might continue to do church together.
Later that night, as I walked my dog at night, I thought back to the retreat and specifically the scripture reading from Philippians. What stuck out to me, similar to my time during the retreat, was the sense of gratitude to do the work of God in partnership with so many great people—staff, volunteers, friends in Tanzania and Honduras, families, and more.
I wonder if there is someone on your heart or mind lately that you are thankful for. For me, there are many, and these words reflect my sense of gratitude:
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)
I’m thankful for so many people who are partners in the good news and good work that God is doing in this world. And not just that, but that the good work that God has begun in us will carry on. That both welcomes and invites us into partnership and community with God and others, not only that we may know the loving embrace of God, but also that we may continue the good work in this world.
Paul continues with his prayer and words of encouragement, all of which were written while Paul himself was imprisoned (a bit of context in the text that is sometimes easy to forget).
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)
That is because of our partnership with God and others; our love can continue to grow. And just like a parent towards a child, our love leads us to discern how best to parent, live, or act to bring glory to God.
Questions for Reflection:
- Who do you thank God for? How are the people around you who support your life of faith?
Prayer:
Dear God,
I thank you, all the time, I remember or think of the people you’ve gifted in my life. Because you have gathered us together, we have faith that you will continue to do good work in our lives and in this world. Fill us with your love, that we may grow in this love and walk in your way.
Amen.
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