Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14
Answering the Lord's call is never easy. It requires us to leave our friends, family and comfortable lives to go and serve people we have never met. I answered the call almost 9 months ago and have been serving on the field for 4 months now. Leaving home was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It required me to give up everything I cared about and potentially give up someone I cared about deeply. But God is good. He puts people in our lives to guide and comfort us. He knows what we need but He also knows what we want. This has been evident in my life as things I need miraculously show up. And yet other times God has said No. In all this I am learning to be content with whatever comes my way. I am learning to sacrifice myself and put others above myself. The book of Philippians has brought me comfort and conviction. I will close with this passage from Philippians especially focusing on the last two verses.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13