Surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus

My Beth Moore bible study brought me to this passage today:

But whatever was to my profit I now consider great loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.


For several months now, there have been changes afoot at Lee's office. Lee's only heard whispers of them; I've been more or less completely in the dark. As of next week, most everyone around him will be moving on, to other companies. Lee hears that he'll be offered a choice: relocate to New York or accept a severance package. He has an interview with another company on Monday.

As I face a time of uncertainty--Lee is not just my husband and best friend but also my money train, after all--I consider the possibility of loss, and of pressure to contribute. I have been riding along on cruise control, not forced to act and so...not acting.

Lord, you seem so far away, and I struggle even to believe you exist at all. But I want to not get hung up on that. I want to put my doubts aside and just step out in faith. I want to consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Am I willing to lose all things (our house? my free time? spending money for the kids' activities?) that I may gain Christ and be found in him? And WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE--GAINING CHRIST?

Lord, I want to pray for Lee, but I don't know how. So I just ask you, to please be present and guide him. He is stressed, as usual. You offer peace. Is there a plan already in place? "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Does this apply to us, here, now?

Writing you these emails isn't supposed to be a one-way conversation, but of course you don't write back. You have given us your Word, though. I'll look at it again.

Whatever was to my profit I now consider great loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.  Not having a righteousness of my own--but that which is through faith in Christ. If you do have a plan for me, and you urge me to have faith in you, then I need to look for what you already have for me to do. Not having a righteousness of my own, but through faith.

Please show me what you would have me do next.

In Your Son's name I pray.
Amen