And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. - Philippians 1:6 –7 (ESV)

In the Chinese calendar each year is represented by an animal. If I was making the calendar for 2020, I think this years animal should be  Eeyore. That's right, the sad donkey from the beloved children's story. I mean that's what 2020 feels like right? It has seemed like an endless string of horible circumstances that only worsen. (You have heard there is a double-hurricane sorta headed our way). So I'm calling it! 2020 is the year of the Eeyore.

In the midst of all of this where can we find joy? I'm not talking about slapping on a smiling face and ignoring hard realities. I'm talking about real, true, honest joy. Joy that shines in the middle of gray. Joy that holds even when things get worse.

Paul is going to help us discover that in Philippians. He is in chains and may be facing death. But he has joy. Where does it come from? And what is it's source? And what sustains it?

This week be begin with Paul's opening prayer in Philippians 1:3-11 . Will you take a few minutes and read through Philippians chapter 1? Ask yourself, what is driving his prayers? What is giving him hope?