Devotional: Good Outcomes: Philippines 1:12-30

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:22), NASB).

When we are going through tough times in our lives, our natural impulse is to think about the possibility of a good outcome or a bad outcome. I believe that thinking this way is one of the ways that God gives to us so that we may have a desire to live. Unfortunately, there are people whose life experiences have been so harsh that they may difficulty thinking about the possibility of a good outcome. In the sports world it is said that it takes winning to learn to become a winner. Champions are made when the players first learn to win. A tradition of winning is established, and the players have both ability and confidence that they can win. Nick Saban coach of the Alabama football team has established a winning tradition, built on the traditions of other Alabama coaches begun by the late Bear Bryant. Good players want to play for Alabama; they want to play for Nick Saban. Saban instills into his players that they must trust the process even when behind in the score. Trusting the process and following the game play are the two fundamentals that Saban has built the Alabama program upon.

As Paul sat in his Philippian jail cell, he faced the reality that there were two possibilities that lie before him. He could be set free, and this would mean opportunities to continue to spread the gospel. On the other hand, if he was executed, Paul was certain that he would go to be with the Lord. Regardless of what happened to him Paul saw himself as a winner. He was on a winning team of dedicated and faithful believers in a program established by Jesus Christ. In jail, Paul sees only victory for other saints and himself. If he lived he would continue in the work of the ministry of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. If he was executed, his death would mean that he had been taken out of the game to be replaced by someone else. He would go home to be with the Lord. Paul believed that the process worked. Others had traveled this road before him. He expected a good outcome.

In my life I do not need to see a winning score all the time. I am on the team whose head coach is Jesus Christ. I trust the process. I expect victory. I am sure that I will experience a good outcome.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, with you in control of our life, our outcomes are good. Amen.