Being Content In All Things

This morning I am continuing my reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians.  I am so encouraged and challenged by his grasp of the Gospel and ability to apply this to his own life.  He is able to maintain right perspective in spite of much that would seek to throw him off course.  These few verses are so good - Philippians 4:11-13 NIV:

[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."

Paul writes that he has "learned the secret of being content in any and every situation" and this is possible through Christ who gives him strength.  There is no room for misunderstanding the Greek here, for that is exactly what Paul says.  What is translated "learned the secret" might also be translated:
1) to initiate into the mysteries
a) to teach fully, instruct
b) to accustom one to a thing
2) to give one an intimate acquaintance with a thing

The sense I get is that it isn't so much that Paul learned some special secret but rather that he was intimately acquainted with the Lord being there for him in every circumstance and situation.  The secret, if there is one, is real relationship with the living Savior, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and receiving guidance and direction, reassurance and peace.  Paul understood God's character, and he had immersed himself in Christ, fully entrusting himself to the Lord.  He knew that He would be well cared for and would be given ample time and opportunity to fulfill all the Lord had planned for him.  He was unconcerned about difficulty and struggles, seeing in them the opportunity to become more and more like Christ.

His perspective was that God is firmly in control, capable of the impossible in the direst of circumstances, so why should he fear and fret.  He believed that God loved him and had a good plan for his life, and he was thus not concerned greatly when circumstances did not align with his own desires and wishes.  He knew that in all things God could and would provide and care for him, and lead him forward into deeper relationship, which is the real reward.  He wasn't a Christian because he wanted a perfect life, he was a Christian because he wanted relationship with Christ Jesus.

If the goal of all of this, our lives and our faith, is to know Christ more, not to have perfect and pain free lives, then we too can learn how to be content in all circumstances.  It is all about our perspective, our own understanding and beliefs.  When we learn to see ourselves through God's eyes, we see how much He loves us, how much He cares for us, how much He provides us, how much He favors us and how much we can trust Him completely.  When this becomes our reality, all else just doesn't matter that much, for we have our treasure in Him, in that deep and intimate relationship.

This is unfortunately an unusual perspective in our day, for we are taught in our society that relationships are about what we get out of them.  For example, how many marriages start with agreements about what they will get out of the relationship, should the marriage not last?  This whole perspective, concerned about what one will get, is almost a guarantee of failure, for waiting to give until one receives is a good way to starve relationally. It is actually the exact opposite in relationships, it is when we give that we receive.  We definitely do receive, but it is the benefit of giving, not an expectation that must be met first.

I just thought of another example - that of a sports fan.  There are fair-weather fans and die-hard fans.  The difference is that the die-hard fan is a fan whether or not their team wins, while the fair-weather fan is only a fan when the team is winning.  This is a great example of how we tend to view many relationships, if we aren't getting what we want (wins), then we have no time for relationship with that individual (team).  I think this is a great example of many people's faith, when they are experiencing good things, it is easy to believe that God loves them, and even to embrace Him.  However, when a time of difficulty is encountered, they are shaken to the core in their faith, often time choosing to walk away from God.  We see the same thing in many marriages, when things are good, life is grand, but when difficulty is encountered, divorce is the popular solution.

Going back to Paul's original statements, put in relational terms, Paul is committed and content in relationship with the Lord, regardless of the circumstances.  Whether the external circumstance of food, clothing, shelter or provision is abundant or not, Paul is secure in his relationship with Christ Jesus, and receives from Him strength and the ability to endure, because he is walking through it all with the Lord by his side.  What a great example for us to embrace, that of intimate committed relationships, with the Lord and with each other.

This morning I am encouraged to trust more fully in the Lord, to pursue that which is really the greatest treasure, relationship with Him.  In doing so, I will be strengthened and empowered to endure and to enjoy, to overcome and to embrace all that I experience because it all leads me deeper into relationship with Him.