PHILIPPIANS 1:22

“But, if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me, and I do not know which to choose.”

I have been a decision maker for quite some time now. As my ministry progressed, I was given more and more decisions to make. Some big and some small, but all were decisions that had to be made by me. “The buck stops here” is really true if you are in leadership.

Paul was torn between the desire to continue to minister, even though that meant being held in a prison, and the desire to be called on to heaven. Paul had “tasted” a little bit of heaven before (read 2 Corinthians 12:4). He was looking forward to his heavenly reward, yet he still had more work to do.

APPLICATION

If you were given the choice to either stay here and continue to labor for the Lord or go on to heaven, what would you choose? Staying here for your kids or grandkids is admirable. No one wants to leave them behind, especially before knowing they are secure in the Lord. But our reason for staying needs to go beyond just our families. What has the Lord called you to do?

Look what Paul says here. He says living “will mean fruitful labor.” In other words, if he is alive he can continue to live out John 15:16 which says, “…and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit…” We are called to bear fruit. Paul had never forgotten his calling to reach the Gentiles. He wasn’t done yet.

Stop being so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good. Look around you. How can God use you today to produce fruit that will last for His kingdom? When it’s time to go to heaven, He’ll call you. I say often that I am immortal until God calls me home. He knows the number of my days. Until then I want to be used by Him. How about you?

Father, use me up to my last breath to produce fruit for Your kingdom.