Perspectives

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. (NIV)

We may think it is a good thing to be satisfied with life. There are those who think it is a good thing to feel dissatisfied, they say then we push ourselves to greater achievements. We might get the idea that when we talk about contentment we are speaking about complacency. But complacency is undesirable. When I become complacent, I lose the desire to work hard, and I really do not care if I succeed. But we are not talking about complacency here. No, we are talking about godly contentment. We are talking about the idea of being at peace with God in every situation, good or bad.

Life has taught us that people are desperately seeking contentment. Everyone would like to find a place of peace and rest, where they can find fulfillment and simply enjoy life. They would like to find a place where they could feel relieved and relaxed. Is there such a place? Countless folks think not. They think that way because they have not found such a place and because no one they know has found it either. But the apostle Paul thinks there is such a place, that he has found it, and that we can find it too. He tells us that he found the secret. It is the secret of contentment.

God uses those times of difficulty in our lives to do his greatest work in us. It is true. We learn the most important lessons in life through the challenging times. God builds into us character and compassion through the rough places. I know that has been true for me and it has been true for you. We need to look at the changing circumstances of our lives and ask what God is teaching us through them. We might find lessons so valuable that, given the opportunity, we would not change the demanding times if we could.

I can do all things through him who gives me strength (verse 13). We make it apply to any and everything. And there is no doubt that through Christ we can do everything… everything he calls us to do. But it is within the context of dealing with the difficulties of life that Paul makes this statement. What he is saying is that he can deal with any situation through the power of Christ. There is no trouble, or conflict, or difficulty that cannot by the power of Christ be conquered. Christ was the secret of his success. We can go through anything because we are not alone. Christ lives in us and through us.

We must train ourselves to remain fixated on Christ. So often we look to so many other things. It is at times like that we become bored – uninterested – tired – fed up… It is exactly at such a moment when we have exhausted all our options, that we must turn to God in prayer to ask for his help. God ought not to be our last resort. He ought to be our first thought… our first consideration. Christ is the key to everything for us. He is the key to our contentment. He is the key to our peace. He is the key to us being able to weather the storms of life. Christ will be with us every step of the way, even when we cannot see the next step. He will be our guide. He is the key to everything.

“…To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done…”

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I want that peace, joy and happiness that fulfills my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name. Amen”