Philippians 1:18-26

Philippians 1:18-26 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  What's your scoreboard?
  If you're into March Madness, all that matters is who is winning at the final buzzer.  Even if your favorite team plays terribly, you'll be happy as long as they're ahead when the horn sounds.
  If you're financially motivated, you'll be happy if you have enough money.  Maybe you've set a retirement goal or some other savings target, or maybe you just want to make more than 95% of the population.  Whatever your goal, you'll be happy if, and only if, you hit that number.
  If you're Paul, you want to be with God.  That is what motivates Paul.  Paul will shape his life around communion with God, and anything that brings Paul closer to that is great.  Paul understands that only by passing through the veil of death will we truly be united with God, and so Paul welcomes death.
  But Paul also wants as many people as possible to experience the love and grace of God, and so Paul is willing to set aside his own personal goal and serve the people around him in the hopes of teaching them about the love and grace of God.  Paul wants everyone else to share his goal, and so he patiently teaches and loves them.
  Spend a few minutes thinking about your scoreboard.  How do you measure yourself?  What brings you joy in the depth of your heart?  What makes you afraid?  What will cause you to declare your life a win, at the end of it all?