Introduction

Howdy.

First of all, let me introduce myself. I'm a 23 year old graduate student in the north suburbs of Chicago studying to go into full-time ministry. I am Korean-American (whatever that means) and I love both rap and classical music. I know its an odd combination, but almost all baroque music can take a hip hop beat if you really think about it...

Anyways, the reason I decided to blog on the Internet is because I'm so popular and everybody wants to know what I'm doing. (In reality my mom will probably be the only person following this... hehe) But I just wanted to have a place where I could post my thoughts on life and how God has been constantly working in it. I want to have another avenue to praise and thank God for all that he has done. It will definitely help me realize how present God is even when times seem bleak.

So... I've recently started reading Philippians over and over again. This is one of the Prison Epistles, which means Paul wrote this while he was in prison, probably awaiting his execution. The torment, anger, and bitterness that Paul might have felt initially is absent from this letter. Rather than seeing the situation surrounding himself and complaining/grumbling, he starts out thanking God with joy and praising him for the advance of the Gospel (1:12). It is amazing that Paul can have such perspective in this sort of situation. I reflect back on my life and realize how small my faith is when so-called "bad" things happen. Anger, complaining, and grumbling (2:14) all characterize a typical response. What is it that gives Paul this peace, joy, and thankfulness? What is the secret to being joyful in every season of our life?

The answer stares at my face as I look at the pages of Philippians. Christ is the key. Like many Sunday school questions, this answer is obvious yet a mystery when it comes to practical implementation. I think Paul gives out very applicable steps on being a thankful person.

1) The first step I see is how Paul has shifted his mind to a eternal perspective that puts the day of Jesus Christ or the Second Coming at the center of his life (1:6; 10). "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ" (v 9-10).
How often do I think about this glorious day? Honestly, very few times in my day will I stop and think of life in regards to this day. At the beginning of chapter 4, verses 8-9, Paul commands and exhorts us to think about things that are pure, lovely, honorable, and worthy of praise. There has to be a connection between the day of Christ and thinking about such things that produced the peace of God in Paul (4:9).

2) The second step that I see Paul takes in order to have the peace of God is measuring his happiness according to whether or not he is growing in his relationship with Jesus Christ (3:8). "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (v 7-8). I think this is the hardest thing to do. How can Paul really see his suffering in prison and the many other hardships in a joyful way? Well, it is because he sees such instances and situations as another opportunity to gain Christ, to get know the Savior of the universe. Which begs the question, how valuable must Christ be in order for all things to be loss in comparison? Infinitely valuable and worthy.

It is my goal for the next day or so to dwell on these truths. Please join me in praying that God creates in his people an eternal perspective that expectantly hopes for the day of Christ and a mindset of measuring joy in terms of knowing and growing in their love for Christ Jesus.

Deo Gratias
PAP