Content?
On January 1st, our family was travelling from Alberta to Manitoba. It was a 15 hour trip and it was a Sunday so we decided to have "car church". Or that is what I called it anyway. We prayed, read Scripture, reflected on the Scripture and sang a hymn. It was a great way to start 2017. The passage we reflected on was sort of chosen at random but it stuck with me. Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
This may be a familiar passage to you as it has been to me. The things that stood out to me on January 1 were:
1) Paul doesn't view himself as "in need" (vs 11) even when he is "in need" (vs 12). I find this hard to wrap my mind around. But if I switch my perspective, I can start to grasp it. Paul is content in Christ "in any and every situation" (vs 12). He is measuring his contentment in life by his relationship with God not by what he has or doesn't have financially. What follows then is that he is not in need of the Philippians providing for him so that he can then be content. Paul doesn't depend on the Philippians. He depends on God.
AND YET....
2) Paul is grateful for the Church's assistance. He "rejoiced greatly in the Lord" that they were able to show their concern by providing for him. He takes their provisions (see verses 14-19). Even though he isn't looking to them to provide for his deepest need (which is Christ), he does accept their help.... joyfully! He delights in God's working through the Church and commends them for their gifts.
This fascinates me because I am constantly amazed at how God provides for us through others and yet they are not our source of contentment. Circumstances aren't what brings us peace. People solving our problems isn't the source of our ultimate joy. Whatever we have to face, Christs gives us strength. He gives us the power to face the highs and lows, the abundance and want, the full and the empty. He may do this through His people but He also may not. He may give us endurance instead of relief. Fortitude instead of comfort.
Do you find this challenging? I do. I want to have my support system in place and avoid any uncomfortable or difficult circumstances. Often I want God to work things out in ways that make sense to me. But this is not the picture Scripture gives me. God is God. I am not. His ways are not my ways. I have to walk by faith. And the surprising thing that the Bible invites me into is that walking by faith, empowered by the Spirit, will result in a peace and joy that is not dependent on my circumstances but on Christ. So, maybe it is time for me to flip things around. To not seek to make circumstances that give me contentment but to join with Paul in learning to be content whatever the circumstances for "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
This may be a familiar passage to you as it has been to me. The things that stood out to me on January 1 were:
1) Paul doesn't view himself as "in need" (vs 11) even when he is "in need" (vs 12). I find this hard to wrap my mind around. But if I switch my perspective, I can start to grasp it. Paul is content in Christ "in any and every situation" (vs 12). He is measuring his contentment in life by his relationship with God not by what he has or doesn't have financially. What follows then is that he is not in need of the Philippians providing for him so that he can then be content. Paul doesn't depend on the Philippians. He depends on God.
AND YET....
2) Paul is grateful for the Church's assistance. He "rejoiced greatly in the Lord" that they were able to show their concern by providing for him. He takes their provisions (see verses 14-19). Even though he isn't looking to them to provide for his deepest need (which is Christ), he does accept their help.... joyfully! He delights in God's working through the Church and commends them for their gifts.
This fascinates me because I am constantly amazed at how God provides for us through others and yet they are not our source of contentment. Circumstances aren't what brings us peace. People solving our problems isn't the source of our ultimate joy. Whatever we have to face, Christs gives us strength. He gives us the power to face the highs and lows, the abundance and want, the full and the empty. He may do this through His people but He also may not. He may give us endurance instead of relief. Fortitude instead of comfort.
Do you find this challenging? I do. I want to have my support system in place and avoid any uncomfortable or difficult circumstances. Often I want God to work things out in ways that make sense to me. But this is not the picture Scripture gives me. God is God. I am not. His ways are not my ways. I have to walk by faith. And the surprising thing that the Bible invites me into is that walking by faith, empowered by the Spirit, will result in a peace and joy that is not dependent on my circumstances but on Christ. So, maybe it is time for me to flip things around. To not seek to make circumstances that give me contentment but to join with Paul in learning to be content whatever the circumstances for "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
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