Philippians 3:17-21

Philippians 3:17-21 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  There is no shortage of potential targets to model your life after.  I went to the grocery store last night, and the magazine rack in the check-out line offers plentiful options.  Talk shows on television have ideas of their own, and if you're still searching, there's always social media...
  Following a Jewish carpenter who's primary recommendation was to die to the self isn't going to be popular in an age of decadence.  When Paul's talking about people who make their god their belly, there are a few ways to interpret that.  Paul's likely talking about the Jewish leaders who are so focused on the dietary laws that they've forgotten about the God to whom they're supposed to point.  In today's era, we could think about people who love indulgence so much that they don't have any depth to their lives -- glamorous lifestyles built without foundations will often end poorly. 
  Paul's reminding us that our true citizenship is not in this world.  We're never going to feel fully comfortable here.  Those feelings you get that things aren't quite right -- that's your soul that is built for heaven and notices the way sin pulls on our hearts here on earth.  We sinfully long for things we shouldn't, and we put off the things we should do.
  The Good News?  Through Jesus Christ, we have been transformed.  Our lowly bodies have every reason to hope, and that hope will guide our lives the more time we spend modeling our lives after people who seek true discipleship for the sake of Christ alone.  Be careful in your role models -- seek those who do not seek the limelight.  Listen to those who aren't shouting.  Sit with those who serve others.  In doing so, we'll learn how to empty ourselves and let the Spirit remind us of the joy and peace of our true home.