Philippians 3:17-4:1
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord…”
Do you know your place? “Knowing your place” can be used to limit or control another’s life – or our own. Let’s be honest; we don’t like others rocking our boat. Persons don’t appreciate our meddling in their affairs. “That is not your place.”
Paul speaks of knowing our place in a positive sense. Paul counsels the Philippians to ‘stand firm in the Lord in this way.” In other words, stand firm, knowing your life is anchored in the place made for us in the love and grace of God. If we know where and to whom we belong, we can live into values and purposes that differ from those that dismiss us, our faith, or deny the hope we hold steadfast.
Paul writes this letter while in prison, and it seems counter-intuitive that he still finds joy amid his circumstances. How can this be? Paul knows his place in life and does not allow imprisonment to define it. His place is defined by life in Christ, kin-dom with this faith community, and a sense of certainty.
We are facing some challenging times inside and outside the church. In times of uncertainty, I ask myself when the boat is rocking more than usual: “Do you know who you are and whose you are?’ Some days, people still try to put me in my ‘place’, but I am anchored in Christ, and his love, grace, and hope determine my course. My identity is wrapped up in the one who created and called me, so I live in this blessed assurance.