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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Contentment – valuable beyond measure. Most (if not all) of us deal with having what we don’t want or wanting what we don’t have, which can lead us to much discontent. It is interesting that the great Apostle writes that contentment is a learned secret – it is it not a natural propensity of mankind. This is easily seen in a newborn baby who screams at the top of their lungs to get the milk, the swaddle or the whatever. We come out that way – clinched fists and screaming for what we want or don’t want. Somebody stop us! And Jesus said “Follow Me.” That’s exactly what Paul did. And as he followed His Master, he learned the secret. That is precisely what we are called to do as well.
The great Apostle did not beg people or try to “maneuver” others to get his way or change his attitudes. He trusted in Christ (Hell-o! What a novel idea??) to change his dire circumstances or to change him through his dire circumstances (the latter being the much greater miracle). God uses all things He allows in the lives of His heirs of mercy to make us like Jesus. We can fight against it, hinder our growth, push back and pout BUT our Creator knows what His created needs and what is the very best for their lives. One day it will be all so plainly clear. Pristinely clear. Not only that, He loves us with an everlasting love – even rejoicing over us with singing. We can trust Him with our lives and the lives of all we hold near and dear. He wants us to think bigger – getting us out of our comfort zones - and He has a plan for each one of us – plans to prosper and not harm, plans to give hope and a future as the Prophet Jeremiah writes. And as the apostle Paul did, we must get our eyes off of self and on to the Lord Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
The glitzy lights of this world are no match for the True Light of Jesus Christ which shines forth through every believer. While certainly louder and touting the promise of satisfaction, the world fails miserably in its offer of continued contentment, joy and peace. Like the drug addict desirous of another hit, all the world does is keep one longing for more. With Christ there is no wanting. He is the Living Water which totally fills the cup. Daily be filled with Him and everything else is merely a cherry on top. Nice but not necessary. Paul was not begging people for help he merely placed the need before them and trusted in His God to meet the need. His continual changing circumstances did not rob him of the inner contentment and peace that he had in Christ. It was a divinely bestowed sufficiency and one that was without wanting. Interestingly, Paul said his contentment was both in need and in plenty. Sometimes in plenty it can be even more difficult as we often have a difficult time discerning when enough is enough, Amen?
Paul ends by stating he can do all things through Christ Who strengthens him. And it is not only Paul, but all believers in Jesus as well.
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless--a miserable business! Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 (NIV)