"I Don’t Have That Kind Of Time”

In an interview for Clarity magazine, writer Anne Lamott tells of an incident that helped her. One day, Anne visited her friend Pammy who was going through chemotherapy. Anne pointed to the dress she herself was wearing and asked Pammy if it made her look fat. Pammy looked at her and said, "Annie, you just don't have that kind of time."

Anne says that Pammy's response was so profound, that "it was like I was in a cartoon and somebody conked me over the head. I got it." Anne goes on to say that Pammy has since died, but Anne says that she still lives by what Pammy said to her that day. Anne sums it up this way: "You don't have time to live a lie. You don't have time to get the world to approve of you. You only have the time to become the person you dream of being. You only have the time to clean out your mean and ugly spots, areas that drag you down and hurt other people. You only have the time to accept yourself as you are and start getting a little bit healthier so you can be who God needs you to be. In a way, it's exhilarating to say, 'This is really who I am, and I'm not going to pretend just because I have the sneaking suspicion I'm not good enough.' God meets you where you are."

“I don’t Have That Kind Of Time” Philippians 1:21-30

1. Today’s reading we find Paul's letter to the Philippians as a joyful letter, despite the fact that it is written from prison where Paul is being held, probably in Rome.

• There is a growing concern from the Philippians towards Paul as a result of his imprisonment. He is aware of the Philippians' concern for him, and wants them to know that his work as an apostle is continuing despite his captivity. Paul states 12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guardB and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

2. Paul could have complained about his circumstances but Like Pammy “I don’t have that kind of Time” yes that would be Paul’s response. I don’t have that kind of time to complain.

• Few of us face the day-to-day threat of being imprisoned, tortured, killed because of our faith.

• Martyrdom was a very real hazard for first-century believers. History and tradition hold that many of Jesus' disciples met with a violent death

3. Paul would say I don’t have that kind of time to worry about my situation

• Paul states “For me to live is Christ for me to die is gain”

• (v. 21). Paul's faith is so overwhelming, so all-consuming, that he doesn't just experience his life as being "in Christ" or "with Christ" or "for the sake of Christ." Paul's living is so immersed in his faith that for him living is Christ. All my Living is Christ.

• Paul's claim that dying is gain rests in his conviction that even in death his relationship with Christ will continue to develop and deepen.

• Paul refuses to view death as a source of separation from the Divine.

4. Paul states, “I don’t have that kind of time to be all “shook up over death”

• Death appears to be his personal desire. ! Verse. 22If 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! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

5. Paul knows all who follow Christ will suffer Paul says, “I don’t have that Kind of time to be concerned about my suffering.

• Because of my anguish look what has happened. In verse 12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. This is what is important.

• Because of my personal woes look what has happened 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. That is what is important bolder Christians proclaiming

• Because of my distress or imprisonment listen 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains’ 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes That is what is important.

• Because I suffer that is my privilege. 29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him. When we suffer its an honor, a privilege that is what’s in important