Until that time...

As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. (Philippians 1:22-26 MSG)

If you are still breathing in and out on this planet earth, there is still so much for you to be doing for Christ. You can spread his Word. You could gather the children in the neighborhood and give them a safe place to play and learn. You might even find yourself taking an elderly friend to the grocer each week to get the necessities. Whatever way God chooses to use you - be used! You aren't 'used up' until he says so!

Sometimes I think it would be easier to escape all this messiness of political unrest, disagreeable people, rising prices, wars and protests. The truth is that we have a place here - maybe not in the midst of all the messiness, but because of all the messiness. God can use us right where we are, but are we willing to be used as he sees fit? If not, we might want to adjust our way of thinking - he didn't just give us salvation, he called us to be messengers of his grace to a hurting and confused world.

The most important way God can use us is as 'companions to each other' as we grow in Christ. Paul knew he had a mission - even in prison - to see those who had come to Christ grow in the richness of his grace and truth. If you have been around a while, enjoying this walk with Jesus, your greatest calling may be to become a mentor to those just starting out in their faith journey. We ALL needed someone to coach us along, help us grow in our trust, give us encouragement when we felt like it was too hard.

Yes, we all will be with Christ one day. His return is inevitable. Until that time, we have a purpose here. We are called to be his messengers - what message will your life proclaim today? We are called to be servants - who will you reach out to today? We are called to encourage one another - who needs to hear words of hope and courage today? Be here, present in the moment, because someone needs you today. Just sayin!