Philippians Chapter 1 verses 12-18
Photos: no. 1 rule, keep the subject focused!
In life, we often focus on the wrong thing, on “myself”.
Keep the subject the subject. Focus on Christ.
Paul speaks of his many trials, but he does not focus on them. Hated by his own people, then arrested by the Romans as a suspected Egyptian terrorist. Tried and held over in prison. Shipped to Rome, a terrifying journey, with shipwreck. In prison in Rome. Yet the the gospel was his focus, the lens by which he viewed everything, including his sufferings.
As Van Gogh the artist saw the world from a different viewpoint, so did Paul. His circumstances were were not seen as misfortunes, but as gospel opportunities. Even in his sufferings, like the painter he could see colour, beauty, in the world, God’s world.
Even some preaching Christ from bad motives did not worry him. “It doesn’t matter, Christ is being preached.”
Like “Starry Night”, where earth, tree, town, church, serve to point upward to the best majestic beauty of the night sky.