CONNECTING POINT: My Life, A Magnifying Glass

At fifty-three, it pains me to admit that my eyesight has failed over the last few years. I am due for another adjustment to my trifocals! As a kid, I recall seeing my grandmother doing the newspaper crossword with a magnifying glass. I could not imagine then growing old myself. Today, I see a different layer. If you are anything like me, you first try to read small print without your glasses. For many of us, it is a reminder, isn’t it?

In ancient times, the Romans used water-filled globes (as described by Seneca) to magnify objects. It was not until the Middle Ages, around 1250, that the Englishman Robert Bacon designed the first magnifying glass, which led to the invention of eyeglasses shortly thereafter—an invention that has helped individuals ever since!

Paul expressed a desire to see “In nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death,” (Philippians 1:20). Paul’s imprisonment and more his persecution only solidified his faith, the exact opposite response than the Romans wanted. The church’s growth exploded in direct result. Why was Jesus magnified? Because humanity's evil intentions can never thwart God’s plans.

Here, Paul’s faithfulness shines brightly. First, the message of Jesus will be advanced at all costs. “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ,” (Philippians 1:12-13). Per Paul’s common writing style, he uses the military term, “advance,” to describe how hardship only led to the Gospel moving forward in a shocking fashion. Suffering or hardship does not mean that a person is out of God’s will, and in fact, it is often the opposite—an indicator. Sometimes, when we look backward, we see that God is with us.

Secondly, competition amongst Christians is often misguided. In verses fifteen through eighteen, Paul calls out “envy and rivalry” among some who preach “out of selfish ambition.” These preachers were stirring up unnecessary trouble while he was imprisoned. Paul stressed self-denial. Paul’s response, no big deal…no sweat off my back. He was not addressing false teachers either. If the truth about Jesus was being shared, he did not quibble when individuals took advantage of his imprisonment.

In this modern age in America, we must heed Paul’s mindset and adopt it. When another church loves Jesus and grows, we must not be envious.

Finally, Jesus is to be magnified in all ways. Paul uses the Greek verb megaluno, and he means “to make great or exalt.” In recent years we have all seen the famous red hat, like it or hate it, the statement is simple and clear. In this address to you, I am reflecting on Paul’s voice also being clear and simple. The name of Jesus! Getting older, it is every bit as important as when I surrendered to Christ’s love. Like Paul, I am more interested in making the name of Jesus known and in seeing him glorified by our conduct. Jesus can be honored when life is great, and even more when life is hard. Talk to Paul about the latter perspective. May our lives always be a magnifying glass for Christ’s purposes.