Last night was our last in depth study in Chaotic Joy. Next we will wrap it up with an overview, but we dove headlong into chapter four, digging for yet another nugget of truth and wisdom in which we can apply to our life.
We found it last night in a secret. Yes, a secret that I will share here for all the world to see. A secret that is easy to say, harder to learn. What I am about to tell you is the secret that Paul (the author of Philippians) finally found after going through the last half of his life as a missionary for Jesus. In his travels he endured many, many hardships. He was well fed at times, yet he also went to bed hungry some nights. He was well taken care of, although he needed nothing. Through all of his years relying on God he learned this secret that I am about to share with you.
Lean in close.
Closer.
So close that the words are blurry.
Now back up so you can read the words.
The secret is...that Paul can do all things through Christ who gives him strength.
Shocking I know.
But now you know what I mean when it is easier said that done. It is easy to say that you will trust Christ to take care of your every need. It is easy to sing on Sunday morning that "All of You (christ) is more than enough for me (you), for every need" but come Monday we go on living life as usual.
Why do we secretly hope people will bless us with things. Why don't we just be content with what God has given us in the present; and if God wants to bless us (or other people want to) then we graciously accept the blessings and move on blessing others.
Last night we see how Paul truly is content. He is in prison. God called him there for a reason, and he was fine with that. He would go on serving God in prison. Paul's being in prison got around to all the churches, and the churches started praying for him. One church in particular (the Philippian church) thought they would take it a step farther and give a gift to Paul. So they send it over and Paul is over joyed.
Paul didn't put the word out hoping someone would give him a gift. He didn't need too. He trusted God to provide. We do the opposite when we fish for gifts. What I mean is that we hint at something we want until the person realizes that we want it, and feels so guilty that they cave and give in. And when they offer, we act surprised.
It might look like this:
Oh, what are you eating? Skittles? Hmm, that’s cool, I love skittles, plus my mom forgot to pack a dessert in my lunch...and it wasn’t a very big lunch anyway so I am sort of hungry still. Not so hungry though, just sort of hungry, I don’t need a whole bag of skittles...but they are small and tasty aren’t they. I notice you don’t eat the yellow ones...interesting. That's my favorite color.
Paul didn't do that. Paul is content. But notice...the Philippian church did what Christians ought to do. They see a need, they fill a need. They were loving, they were compassionate, they were generous with what they had.
Two things here:
1. Christians need to be content with where God has called them in the present.
2. Christians need to look for ways to bless others with what they have.
And 3 (why not?) I think these both go in line with Paul's secret. We CAN do all things through CHRIST who gives us strength. Keep at the forefront of your mind that God will supply every need that you have according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus, and every so slowly we will start to be content.
much Love,
johnny
