To Be Or Not To Be That Is The Question

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again (Philippians 1:21-26).

Thought For Today:

The apostle Paul felt somewhat like Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, when he said,  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.  Paul was not talking about committing suicide.  He knew that it would be better for him to be with Christ than to go through those things he was having to deal with and face in his flesh.  But at the same time, he knew that the church was not grounded in the Lord enough to operate on its own accord. Therefore, he felt the need to remain with them.  Paul had confidence within himself that he would be with the Lord, and so he wanted to inspire the church and further their joy and faith in Christ Jesus just a little bit longer. Sometimes we have to sacrifice for the ministry, but remember that someone sacrificed for us to be where we are today.