For to me, to live is Christ
and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor
for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I
desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for
you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue
with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith… Philippians 1:21-25
Paul, sitting in
prison, wanted to be in heaven with God, free of suffering and pain. But, simultaneously, he knew he needed to
stay on earth and complete the work God had for him.
We too can see
the suffering of this world, experiencing it ourselves, tired of it even, and
want to be in heaven. However, we must,
simultaneously, believe that we have a purpose here on earth that we must accomplish it, allowing God to determine our final breath when that work is
done.
You can wish…but
you must work too.