Hope In The Midst Of Suffering: The Kara Tippetts StoryНамуна

Hope is Gain

How difficult is it to believe that death is gain?  Paul’s statement to the Philippians is so simple and clear, and he makes it without apology.  The only qualification he makes is a big one. “For to me…” he says. Even Paul knew that we all have differing thresholds when it comes to envisioning the gain of death.  Paul had every confidence in a heaven that God has taken care of, but most of us struggle to comprehend its delight.  

The greater question for us is how to live.  What does he mean “to live is Christ?” The surrounding verses describe his anticipation of a life of fruitful labor, or a departure to be with Christ, face to face.  He is clear that the latter would be better, but like Kara he sees the benefit to others were he to stay.  

In the film, The Long Goodbye, The Kara Tippetts Story, we see Kara, a young mother of four, express with openness her doubts about death and life.

“…I was crying through Philippians 1:21 which is ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’ and I was just weeping through it and I said, ‘Lord, I don’t know that I believe you when you say to die is gain’ and it was this ever so clear answer of ‘Oh, I’ve got that taken care of.  Kara, do you believe that to live is Christ?’ And in that moment I thought, ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ I still struggle with my understanding of heaven, but then I know that God has that taken care of far better than I could ever.”

Whether or not we are threatened by sickness and disease, we should take time to ask ourselves what we are living for.  Are we basing our daily decisions on selfish motives, or are they eternal?   

For many of us, “to live” is a memorable vacation, a phenomenal career, or an incredible house.  None of these things are bad or wrong, but they aren’t what Paul was talking about. Paul’s idea of living was setting his sights on the kind of ministry Jesus had, to imitate Jesus, and love as Jesus loved.  

To live then is to walk in obedience to God the Father, to walk in friendship with the Holy Spirit, to be at peace with others, to rejoice in their triumphs, and to weep with them in sorrow.  We are not called to mere moments of joy in an otherwise mediocre life. We are gifted to live in the grace and beauty of Christ Jesus in each day we’re given.