To Live is Christ

I bless your spiritual eyes

To see what an idolatrous era

Cannot see—

The wonder of eternity.

May you know with

Unjustly incarcerated Paul:

“To live is Christ,

And to die

Is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)

This is not a depressed apostle

And this is no death wish.

It’s blissful certainty that

Whether staying on earth

Or flying to heaven…

You can’t lose.

What a glorious,

Radical reinterpretation

Of all that matters.

For those in Christ,

It boils down to two good opportunities:

“If you are to live in the flesh,

That means more fruitful labor for you.

To depart [is to be] with Christ.” (Phil. 1:22)

Hmm.

More time on earth?

Great, we can bear more fruit.

Off to heaven?

Great, we get to be with Jesus.

May you live long, child of God,

All the while knowing,

Heaven is going to be a lot more fun.