“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV
Reflection: what keeps you up at night; what are you most afraid of?
A dear friend and sister in Christ had a chance to join a mission trip to Africa earlier this year. And as with many that have that opportunity, she also came back a bit changed. To see and experience first hand people who live in very poor conditions, basically having nothing being happy, has a deep effect. How can they smile, and share the little they have with strangers, when they don’t even know whether they will have enough food for the next day? Makes us question many of the things we pursue in our western world, makes us wonder if our priorities are right. We all want to live a “happy life”, to be content, right?
The focus verse today might be familiar to you, as it is frequently used and shared within the Christian circles. But the context of why Paul wrote this is often not mentioned. As we recall, Paul wrote this most likely from prison in Rome, in the most difficult of circumstances a human can experience. And, in this context he wrote “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”Philippians 4:11-12 ESV.
There is deep wisdom here, which relates to the object of contentment. In our culture, we associate more of something as better. More things with a happier life. More money, bigger house, and so on. And as we chase those things to be happier, as we focus our life and energy to obtain more, we discover that the two are not connected, at least directly. I absolutely think it is good to pursue education and a career, to build and grow as a society. And looking at what our western societies have achieved in so many areas over the past centuries, it is objectively impressive. But, if many of the things we rely on for our daily living suddenly disappeared, would we still be content? Notice Paul wrote “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” It is in this light, in this context Paul concludes
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 ESV
To get through whatever situation; the good times, as well as the difficult times. Because the object of his contentment is not the things of this world, but what he has in Jesus Christ. As he already stated “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 ESV.
We live in a world where we are in a way trained to be worried all the time about the future. And therefore we focus so much of our time and energy to remove that fear, storing up “treasures of this world”. Jesus spoke specifically about this ““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 ESV. And this is exactly the problem. Our hearts, our minds and focus become things of the world, which will never be enough, never give us peace.
Jesus continues “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:31-34 ESV
Paul ends the letter on a similar note “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20 ESV.