From time to time I fall in love again. Usually it's with Debbie, my wife. I well remember the last time, it was a lot like the first time. I followed her around, tried to fulfill her every wish, cooked, cleaned, washed and so on. All to say how much I love you to her. I wonder sometimes if it all seems strange to her. What's up with him? He's acting so goofy. Or maybe we've been married so long now, what's gotten in to him, midlife? I honestly don't know what she thinks when I go through those moments when I look at her with the same kind of love we first had and the first time we held hands and it de-spined me.

She can still send shivers down my back. That first love comes along every now and then, can't predict it, or even provoke it, only enjoy it. What's funny is, it happens with God too. And I've noticed that every time I read Philippians, I'm more susceptible to it. I enter into the love story that Paul writes about and I feel the love. He seems to be writing about his love for his church members, his longing to see them again. It's an extravagant love, even mushy perhaps. I don't think Paul thought of them everyday in that way, but when he wrote to them from prison, I think he was enjoying another first love experience with them.

And the secret sauce of his love was the love that God showed and showered upon him. The bold love which Paul felt for his church friends was fired in the oven of God's call and care to Paul. Paul loved them because God loved him. Doesn't John write somewhere that we love because God first loved us? And Paul could be most unlovable, God loved him anyhow. The Philippians could be most unlovable as well. But Paul loved them anyhow. They were certainly less trouble than the Corinthians or the Galatians, but they had their problems as well. Yet, Paul writes of them as if he was dying to see them. That's love.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:3-6

²⁷Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel ²⁸without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Partners in the gospel. Imagine that. The bond that paired Paul with the Philippians was the Gospel. The Gospel is a love story in itself, isn't it? I think Paul loved these people from the first day he got off the boat in Europe and walked his way up to Phillipi from the coast, a ten mile walk or so. But he loved them again, as if it were the first time.

Sometimes we wonder how he could continue to serve God through all the suffering. He suffered terribly you will remember. All for the Gospel. I think it was for these moments as well. He suffered because of love. He felt the love, over and over again. Do you suffer as well? If it is related to your service to God, take heart. You can fall in love again.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really 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. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 1:12-14

Love advances in all places. Evil may seem to be in control, may even seem unstoppable, but the Gospel is winning. Love always does. Fall in love again. Read Philippians, like it was the first time. Feel the love.