One Year of Philippians

"Ain't nobody got time for that!"
Sweet Brown’s phrase is heard often these days, and seems to be applied to just about anything and everything. But there are some things that definitely need to be given some time this year. A wise man (Barrett Bowden) once said, “Its hard to cook if you don’t have anything in the pantry.” For all you blogger chefs out there, you know this is true. Those days when you are frantically preparing an assortment of party dishes often turn into about 50 trips to the grocery store! Being ill-equipped only slows down the process.

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There are things in life that require a little prep time. Whether it is ironing clothes for the next day, catching up on a missed episode of the Bachelor, or packing a lunch, some things always take preparation precedence. There are other things such as reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, and memorizing scripture that often get pushed to the back of our prep list. So this year Will and I are proposing a challenge: memorizing a verse a week for the next 52 weeks. It sounds daunting; in fact, right now you are probably moving your curser towards the next blog on your reading list. But don’t change the channel just yet! This challenge may require some work, but it is guaranteed to change your life. It is all too easy to forget or overlook the reality that the Bible is the spoken word of God. It is how we know, love, and imitate Him. The tragedy is that so few spend quality time seeing and savoring the word of God. Our challenge presents a refreshing and challenging way to experience God in a new way that will leave you better equipped to serve Him and share His love with others.

That said, the verses for the challenge all can be found in the book of Philippians. Philippians is heartwarming, joyful, and reaches a theological depth that shines a brilliant light on the glory of Christ. In just four short chapters, Paul delivers a letter that is captivating and motivating. Paul wrote the letter of Philippians from a Roman jail cell, yet throughout the book his love and joy from knowing and serving Christ strongly outweighs any opposition or suffering. The message of Philippians can be summed up in one phrase: the furtherance of the Gospel. Paul’s mission for himself and for the church was and is telling the world about Jesus, through word and through action. Philippians without a doubt will force you to do a heart check in your commitment to following Christ. Knowing these verses will not only fill you with knowledge of who Christ is, but how to know, serve, and love Him. Whether you commit to learning these verses or just reading through the book, be encouraged by the bountiful grace that comes from knowing Christ. Only in Him will your life truly be blessed with fulfillment, purpose, and joy.

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