“Do Your Utmost For The Topmost!”

“Do Your Utmost For The Topmost!”(Phi.2:19-30).
When it gets worse, we hear expressions like, “God, how long?” Such utterances may console us and kindle the fire of hope, but they are excuses for our lacklustre attitude towards bold and courageous action.
The answer to the question, “God, how long?” is with us. It will be as long as we wait for God(ot) to come and act where God expects us to act.
When the going is good and good things are happening, we say, “God has been faithful.” But when things get rough and there is mayhem, we ask, “God, how long?”
Here is a recipe for us, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ” in simplicity, humility, who without self-love sacrificed his life for our sake.(Phi.2:4-8).
Paul commends Timothy, who has shown genuine concern for the welfare of the Philippians at a time when “everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
Paul also commends Epaphroditus, a co-worker and fellow soldier whom the Philippians sent to take care of Paul in prison. Epaphroditus was ill and almost died. But God had mercy on him and saved his life. Epaphroditus “almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help” the Philippians could not give to Paul in his time of need.
While Paul commends Timothy and Epaphroditus, we add Paul to the list for commendation. Paul was writing this letter from prison, but he considered that what happened to him “really served to advance the gospel.” In his words, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God courageously and fearlessly”(Phi.1:12-14).
My friend, God is not coming to do for us anything he has commissioned us to do for him. Christ will be with us to the close of the age as we do what we have been assigned to do! The assignment is not to preach “pie in the sky!” The assignment is to say what God wants to say, go where he wants to go and do what he wants to do!
As we wait to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, let our attitude be like that of Christ so that we do things in Christ’s way.
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, help me daily to look not only to my own interests but also to the interests of others. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you! Merry Christmas!
Rev Babila Fochang.
19/12/2025.