To Live is Christ, to Die is Gain

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.