Philippians 1

I like Paul’s attitude toward those who preach “out of selfish ambition” (15-18), that either way “Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice”. I have been asked recently about hypocrisy within the church, where there will always be hurt and conflict just like anywhere else, but as long as the good news is being shared, we can take joy in that.

Paul also mentions how, given that we choose to live rather than meet Christ immediately, we should prioritize following Jesus’s example and also serve to do work in a glorifying manner. As working in academia and research is often solitary by necessity, for quieter seasons I believe this passage recommends being faithful in self-building and the more deliberate interactions that do show up.