PHILIPPIANS 1:18-26 – “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”
THEME OF THE DAY: ALL OF LIFE IS ALL FOR CHRIST. Today’s scripture reveals the heart of the Apostle Paul. His life was consumed with Jesus. Not one area went untouched and unchanged by Christ. The greatest Christian ever to live was as surrendered to the Lordship of Christ as a human being might be.
His life reminds me of a prayer penned in the 5th century which still stirs hearts. It is particularly inspiring and helpful to those who want to follow Christ. It is called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” It is also known as The Lorica of Saint Patrick or The Deer’s Cry. The prayer was a type of protective hymn that believers would wrap themselves in, like spiritual armor.
According to legend, St. Patrick wrote the prayer in 433 A.D. for divine protection before confronting the pagan Irish King Leoghaire to convert the Irish people. A traditional tale suggests that while he and his followers walked through the woods, hostile enemies ambushed them but miraculously saw only a herd of deer pass by. Because of this, it is sometimes called “The Deer’s Cry”. Modern scholars, however, believe the prayer is likely anonymous, dating back to the 8th century but capturing the exact missionary spirit of St. Patrick. Here is part of it:
“Christ be with me, Christ in the front, Christ in the rear, Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me, Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left, Christ in the fort, Christ in the chariot seat, Christ at the helm, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks to me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.”
Though the prayer isn’t inspired, it does reflect the call to discipleship; the call to a radical life of biblical Christianity that impacts our worlds. St. Patrick’s Breastplate defines a life living in the conscious awareness of Christ and the desire to influence others for Christ. This surely was the missionary passion of the Apostle Paul and is to be so for every one of His followers.
So, how would we get there? What is the starting point to live a life of such Christ-consumed influence? A good place would be meditating long and deep on the truths of our union in Christ, and the deeply personal love Christ has for us. Both are captured in the second chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians . . .
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Ponder Christ’s death, Christ’s resurrection, our union with Him in both and then why He went to the cross . . . He loved us and gave Himself for us, and that is enough to make all of life, all for Christ.
PRAYER: Father, may I see the beauty and love of Your Son for me that causes total surrender of me to Him.
REFLECTION: Kneel before Christ’s cross, and stare. Watch love poured out and then live totally for Him.