I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…
Philippians 1:23 NIV
Depart
Canadians move every year and for many reasons. Sometimes, it is to take a job in another part of the country. And, as the data indicates, the number of moves varies by occupation. According to the 2021 Census of Population, there were more than half a million employed Canadians (approximately 540,000) living in a different province or territory in 2021 from where they lived in 2016, representing 3.1% of the employed population. This is higher than the rate observed from 2011 to 2016, when the five-year interprovincial mobility rate was 2.9%.
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There are many reasons why people have to move somewhere else. We have had to a number of times over the years, and it has never been easy. It isn’t just the work of packing and unpacking all our things – it is saying goodbye to people we love and with whom we’ve built a relationship. For those of us who love the Lord Jesus and have experienced His saving grace, we know that one day we will make the big move, finally taking residence in the place He has prepared for us. While we may be sad to say goodbye to those we leave behind, nothing can compare to finally receiving the fullness of our new life in Christ. Paul writes about this in Philippians 1:23: “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…” Paul knew that nothing compares to being with Jesus. The moment you trusted Him as your Saviour, eternity with Him was guaranteed. As you serve the Lord here, keep your mind on eternity. As C.S. Lewis said, those with a heavenly mind are most effective here on earth.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley