For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. (Philippians 1:21–26, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “It’s paradoxical, that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” (Andy Rooney). I suppose that the “spiritual” corollary to this would be, “I’m looking forward to heaven, but I’m not in any particular hurry to get there.”
This was not the case with the Apostle Paul, as the above text states. It was his “[preference] to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8, NIV 1984). But he knew he had a “fruitful labor” to complete.
My Advice – It should be this way with us as well. We must not be so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good. By the same token, we should not be so earthly grounded that we make no heavenly good. “So, we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body.” (2 Corinthians 5:9–10, NIV 1984).
The Brew Is A Musing 