Scripture | Philippians 2:1-15

Meditations by Malakai Troyer, Mario Lehman, Gabe Coble

Mario Lehman:

“How do we shine like stars in the world? Kind friend help follow Jesus.”

Gabe Coble:

I have had a lot on my mind recently. Athletics, finishing high school, preparing for college; it feels as if a heavy weight has been placed onto my shoulders. It plagued my thoughts, and pushed me beyond what I believed my mental state could endure. And I was right. I could not endure it, and not even a moment went by that I could take my mind off of how much I had yet to do.

The gun went off and I ran, dazed by the stark contrast between my mind and my environment. Thrown off by this sudden change, I was fatally ill-prepared for the race I had ahead of me, and unwilling to truly see it till the end. So I gave up. I let the tide carry me along, and allowed it to flow over me. By the time I was ready to race, the finish was a mere foot in front of me. By then, the frustration of regret, of disappointment, of doubt clouded my mind. I had broken a principle, betrayed who I wanted to be because I was so busy thinking about how much the world wronged me.

I thought of this part of my life while reflecting over Paul’s words in Philippians 2: 14-15.

“Do everything without grumbling and arguing so that you may be blameless and pure, innocent children of God surrounded by people who are crooked and corrupt. Among these people you shine like stars in the world”.

This passage reminds me that I must steel myself, and keep fighting to stay engaged. If I were to grumble and complain, I would lose the drive necessary for me to achieve my goals. I do not want to become the fastest in the world; or the strongest, or the most capable. I only wish to become someone that I would’ve looked up to in the past. Someone who is persistent, who can take on what life throws at him.

Once again, I stepped on the line. But I was different. I was calm. I was ready. When I started, I knew I couldn’t win. But that didn’t matter. When I crossed the line once more, I felt stronger than a week before. No complaining, no grumbling. But sure, and confident. When I finished that race, at least to me, I was shining.

Thank You.