For me to live is…? For me to die is…? It is amazing how many different answers there are to these profound questions. Answers that, if true, reveal the heart's desire. A desire that gives purpose and reason in life and death, even in difficult circumstances. Sadly, many people in the world answer this question poorly, revealing inadequate desires and shallow purpose and reason for their lives, not to mention death. But, this is not the case for the Christian. For us, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." In Philippians 1:18b-30, Paul is in prison, and his future is uncertain…will he be released or killed? Faced with an unclear future, Paul, quite astonishingly, rejoices. For him, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain." His future, no matter the uncertainty of life or death, will result in the one whom he loves being exalted. For this reason, Paul rejoices and has confidence when others would fear. Christ offers himself to us as he did to Paul. He is willing to be our answer to these important questions, to be our heart's great desire, giving us purpose and reason to rejoice, both in life and death.