Joy — Philippians 2 – Monday
TODAY’S VERSE
Philippians 1:3-5
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (ESV)
For nearly my whole life, my dad has worked as a missions minister, organizing and participating in countless short-term mission trips and helping his church support ministry efforts globally. There were many times growing up when missionaries would come and stay with us, and I’d get to hear and learn what the Church looks like in Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Romania, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, and so many other places in this big, wide world.
Pretty much every year, my dad takes the opportunity to network with mission partners at a conference called the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). And a little over a year ago, when ICOM came to Lexington, I got the opportunity to attend with my parents. It was so sweet to step into that world with them. And even though I was attending for the first time, so many things felt familiar. The very first night I went to visit a friend’s booth, and out of the corner of my eye I could see a couple talking and looking over in my direction. “Lindsey Newland? Is that you?”
Sometimes, this big, wide world feels very small. Just across from my friend’s booth in a room of hundreds of booths was a couple who had attended church with my family when we lived in Florida, people I hadn’t seen since I was 8. Once they gave me their names, I knew exactly who they were, and fragments of memory I’d almost forgotten floated back to the surface. We talked and caught up for a little while, and they expressed how thankful they were for my parents’ role in their getting involved in global missions. When my parents walked up a few minutes in, there was another wave of hugs and gratitude to go around.
It makes me smile every time I think of that interaction and puts a face to Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3-5. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you! I walked away from that weekend encouraged by time spent in a room with thousands of brothers and sisters in Christ who continually set aside their own pride and chose to look to the interests of others for the sake of Jesus. I am still encouraged by those who have chosen to “hold fast to the word of life,” and whose joy in Christ is so evident (see Philippians 2:16).
APPLICATION
Is there anyone in your life that you thank God for every time you remember them? Set aside 5 to 10 minutes today to write about (or voice memo) someone you are thankful for, who has made an impact on your walk with Jesus. How do they demonstrate humility? Steadfastness? Joy?
PRAYER
Lord, I thank You for the people You have placed in my life who have been an encouragement to my faith. Thank You for the sweet blessing of getting to know and even serve alongside some of Your children on this side of eternity, and for the ways You teach me more about Yourself through them. You are good to me, Lord, by no merit of my own. Amen.
