…for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Philippians 1:19-22

We all know some Christians that put everything they have on the line each day. They’re sold out. We watch these designated hitters from the sidelines as they work tirelessly and shamelessly for the cause of Christ. Like Paul, they’re filled with eager anticipation and hope for the proclamation and exaltation of Christ through their efforts. For many, this commitment comes at a great cost.

Our role surely is to pray for the Spirit of God to empower them, but I happen to think, hearing Paul, that he desired the same of all Philippians, and us!

Why can’t we in our own ways engage with the same expectations, that each and every day the Lord will work through us in some way that He might be exalted?

Sure there are heavy hitters in Christendom. These men and women have been endowed with special constitutions and gifts. But so can we be with our own special gift (1 Peter 4:10), empowered by the same Spirit.

We all should have the same attitude as Paul, actually, that to “live is Christ, and to die is gain.” If we happen to awake to another day, it should mean a day full of fruitful labor for all of us!

It’s about time we get off the sidelines.