Stretching The Attitude

"Do all things without . . . that you may be . . . among whom you shine . . . holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." Philippians 2:14-18 ESV

We have covered most of this passage in previous posts, but this last part intrigues me. Paul writes that he is good with the fact of his own life being a libation offered with their (upon their) sacrificial faith. This is a cause of rejoicing in him, and he urges them to rejoice with him about that - if it should come.

He is recalling imagery from the Old Testament sacrifices and their accompanying wine or water libations. He sees their faith as the co-operative element in their relationship with the Lord Jesus as a sacrifice of faith, and his pouring himself out into them so they would know the Christ and live in the empowerment of grace through faith - as worth his life. 

Then he call them to rejoice with him over that! There is no hint of "feel sorry for me because I have it so hard," or "I have poured into you, and you are not quite living up to the standard," or "Woe is me, it may almost be over," - nothing of the sort. He sees his life as very dispensable in the Lord's hand, and if the Lord calls him home, then it is not a matter for sorrow, but of rejoicing.

Now we understand that when we, as believers, go home with the Lord - it is truly a time of rejoicing. However, for those left behind it is a deep and hard loss - at least that is our expectation. Here Paul is calling them to hold him so loosely in their hearts (while loving him so deeply) that they will rejoice when his pouring is over - not just for him, but thoroughly - into an attitude of rejoicing. I think we need to re-think our attitude about loss. It is real in us - but I think there may be an attitude adjustment available in this powerful grace of ours that releases into joy - even in the middle of our loss and sorrow.

Are we giving too much attention to our losses? Are we entering into grief, or are we learning to exchange such realities for joy? I do not know the answers to these questions, but think as we read the Word and walk daily in the unfolded power of the Holy Spirit, there are some things here to discover and to truly "stretch our attitudes" from deep sorrow into healing and rejoicing. We already know we do not grieve as those who do not believe, but is there, perhaps a further step in this discovery? Let's allow an unfolding as we move forward in Him!