Philippians 2:1-4
English Standard Version (ESV)
What would complete your joy? As a somewhat-tortured Cincinnati sports fan, I'd like to think that a Reds' World Series victory would make my joy complete. But the next season, how would I feel if they started losing again? I'd certainly be happy when they won, but that would likely fade in time. Lots of things bring us happiness, some of it more lasting than others, but a complete joy, that's harder to imagine.
Here, Paul's joy is complete by having the community of believers around him focused on selfless love, rooted in the joy of Christ. Joy isn't a limited resource -- our joy doesn't shrink when others get more of it. Instead, joy grows, multiplied by every additional person that comes to find joy in selfless love. When we think of others, we grow in faith, and find joy in watching others find their fulfillment, their peace in Christ. May we have this same mind and faith!
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