Reflection: Burden: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How much does anxiety influence your life? Why?

2. In what way does Paul’s confession of anxiety give you hope but also challenge you?

3. In what ways are we willing—or not willing—to risk our lives if God calls?

4. How can either reply affect our faith?

Share: Have you ever had to risk a relationship to answer God’s call? What was the outcome?

Burden: Purpose: Prayers and Poetry

Philippians 2: 28-30, “I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.”

Burden

There are two surprises in this passage. One, that Paul admits to being anxious, and then second, that he seems to imply that Epaphroditus almost died because of the lack of other believers? There is definitely more behind his words than we have access to.

Paul seems to share that anxiety may not dissolve at all, but it still needs to be given to the Lord and trust Him. That whenever possible, and under even extreme circumstances, we are to carry out our commitments. And not weigh them down on others who are already carrying their own concerns.

Perhaps it is like the up and down of a roller-coaster. We have no real control over the twist and turns. We may be capable one day and then the next be unable to function for various reasons whether health or heart or hurdles. We might gravitate between being calm or cranky.

Lord, please help us to really see what You are calling each of us to be and to do each day; and to be committed to the tasks You chose for us—regardless of the cost.

Your thoughts,