Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the Word of Life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Philippians 2:14-18, emphasis added
What are you holding fast to? If everything slipped away what would you grasp tightly in your hands? Your family? Friends? Position? Paul’s admonition to the Philippian church was to hold fast to the word of life … in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation. I don’t know about you, but I often feel as though I live in the midst of a “crooked and twisted generation.” The pull of cultural norms, societal expectations, even “Christian” mores can pull me away from holding fast to my faith, to the Word, to Him who is The Word. It’s so easy in the midst of daily life to loose sight of the eternal. And it’s always been that way. Paul wrote these words nearly 2000 years ago. For centuries, believers have prayed the hours to help refocus wandering hearts. Holding fast to the word of life takes effort, purpose, determination. But it is the only way to be “blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish.”
Oh Heavenly Father, You long for us to draw near. Your Word is truth and hope and life. Your Son is The Word. Teach us what it means to hold fast to the word of life. Cause us to long for Your presence, Your Word, the abundant life we can only find in You. How we long to be without blemish, light in the dark world that surrounds us. We know though we can only shine through Your Light in us. And so, we draw near to the Light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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