Life is lived in the middle. In between what God starts and finishes. What God began in us and will one day complete. In Philippians 3, Paul’s words remind us that our faith is not about our status, education, or resume… It’s about living in the middle. And living with joy, hope, and belonging!

The Letter of Joy

Pastor Nicole shares what she learned from Pastor David: Philippians carries the title “the letter of Joy.” As Paul’s words flow in one steady thought with urgency and passion. He tells of his friend’s Epaphroditus’ close call with death and reminds the Philippians: “Whatever happens, rejoice in the Lord.”

Paul knew that joy isn’t reserved for the finish line. It’s not the prize we get at the end of our suffering. In reality, joy shapes the posture we carry while we keep living in the middle of life’s tensions.

It’s All Meaningless…

Paul was a man among men, the Jew among all Jews. He had every credential that gave a man status. Paul earned every form of holiness, yet he declared it all garbage compared to knowing Christ.

The word Paul uses for knowing is intimate. It’s a present relationship with Jesus. Paul embraces Jesus, and Jesus embraces him even more.

Our resumes, degrees, accomplishments, knowledge, even our deconstruction can never give us the belonging that Jesus made possible.

Beyond Forgiveness

The cross was never just a transaction. Religious leaders and Rome executed Jesus not for our wickedness but because He lived as a misfit. He broke religious laws, hung out with gentiles, spoke to women, touched lepers, and called out corruption.

Jesus disrupted systems that were built to keep people out. Jesus pushed back on the idea that we had to earn belonging. Under the law, many of us would never have been allowed access to God. But Jesus took our place. Not only because we’re so sinful. But the barriers were too strong for us to tear down on our own.

On the cross, He tore the veil. Jesus put a stop the exclusion and ended separation. He declared once and for all: ALL PEOPLE BELONG!

Live As Citizens of Heaven

Paul says our citizenship is in heaven. Rather than biding our time on earth, waiting to go home. Instead, we recognize that our belonging to God must shape how we live here and now. As citizens of heaven out calling is to bring heaven to earth. Bringing heaven to the hell people are living in everyday.

Living in the middle means showing up with love, hope, and action.