Girl, Read Your BibleSample

The apostle Paul was a ninja when it comes to spiritual issues. In a quiet and powerful way, he sliced directly to truth and left his listeners stunned and amazed. 

For example, in Philippians 1:21-23, Paul stated, “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 be with Christ, for that is far better.”

Paul started his rhetorical debate with a question the rest of us never ask ourselves: Should we live or should we die? At first glance this seems too ridiculous to answer. It’s like asking, should we get a massage or strep throat? Finish the pizza or the laundry?

But Paul was anchored to a deep truth. He realized that if he continued to live, he could encourage believers, help strengthen their faith, and expand God’s footprint on earth. But if he was to die, he could praise God face-to-face forever. In other words, to live was to encourage others momentarily, but to die was to worship Christ eternally. And he knew it was better to worship God.

There are huge implications when we grasp this truth. When we do, we can be extraordinarily brave—forgive the unforgivable, face suffering with unexplainable hope, give grace to the undeserving, embrace the hurting, feed the hungry, and put even our enemies needs ahead of our own. 

If these things sound foreign, it’s because we often focus on ourselves, not Jesus. It’s counterintuitive, but when Christ is the center of worship, all other things fall into place. You don’t have to worry about owning your hustle, driving for success, or building your own kingdom. You don’t have to be defined and exhausted by your performance. You can live with joy and peace.

Paul knew what many of us are just beginning to realize—it all begins and ends with worshipping God.