Paul’s heart for God and love for people is absolutely incredible.
It inspires me that he would even write the words he did. Paul is in chains, in
prison, with no sight of getting out soon and he still manages to praise God
through it all. Not only that, but he counts it great gain to die and live for
all eternity with Christ. The very same God that is allowing him to be in
prison is the One he thinks spending eternity with is so much more rewarding.
That is a man who loves God.

I had to ask myself a question here, would I count it all
gain to lose all I had here and live
eternity with Christ?

I want nothing more than spending eternity with Christ when
I die.

But I love this life too. I love my husband, I love my son,
I love my friends, I love my job, and I love this crazy life. Now don’t get me
wrong, I know that I wouldn’t have any of this without God and I fully
recognize that. I also don’t think it’s wrong to love all that God has blessed
us with, as long as we recognize that it is a blessing only attained through Him.

If we had to lose everything here on earth to be with God,
would we leave it all behind?

I have to admit that wouldn’t be easy. Especially if it
meant leaving my husband and son, whom I love both more than words can express.

I wouldn’t have anything that I have in my life today if it
wasn’t for His hand in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for
God working in me. The only way my life is worth anything is if I am living it
for Him and bringing others to know Him.

That’s where Paul is wrestling. He loves God more than
anything, and he knows that dying and spending eternity with Him is far better
than anything he can attain in this world. But he knows that’s not why he is
here, he is here to bring others to the saving grace of a Heavenly Father.
Although dying is much better in his mind, he wasn’t alive for what was better
for him, but for those that he would come into contact with and share God’s
love; those that may not otherwise hear the gospel if it wasn’t for Paul.

I want to have an attitude that says, “Even if I had to
leave everything behind to be with you, God, it would be worth it.” An attitude
that lives life knowing that even though God chooses to bless me with an
amazing family, and an amazing life here on earth it’s nothing compared to
eternity with Christ. I want to live my life knowing that my purpose here is to
live a life for Christ in hopes to bring others to Him.

It’s not wrong to love the people and opportunities God places in our life, but we just need to make sure we love the One who gave us those more. Today I was just challenged with that reminder, to have an attitude like Paul, who thinks dying and leaving this world is above all else. But while on this earth, our life is meant to be lived for Christ.