Day 50 - Philippians

Gosh, as I was looking over Philippians I was reminded of how much of an impact that book has had in my life.  There are so many passages from Philippians that stick in my head and have been meaningful to my understanding of life in Christ.  There is one passage in particular that speaks to an issue that is rampant in our culture:  contentment.

What does it mean to you to be content?  Does it mean you're happy...always?  Does it mean you're satisfied?  Does it mean you've settled for whatever life gives you?  The Scriptures point to contentment as a something that can only be given through intimacy with God's Spirit.  In fact, Paul says that he's 'learned' to be content.  It doesn't come naturally for us humans.  Look at what he says in Philippians 4:11-13:

^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 everything through him who gives me strength."

Long before Tim Tebow had eye-black, Philippians 4:13 was a deep truth, and it didn't mean that you can conquer the world through Jesus.  That verse takes on a whole different meaning when read in the context of this passage.  It's really more that you can withstand anything.  Our faith in Christ teaches us and reminds us that we are part of a bigger story.  Our reality is bigger than the things of this world and the ways of this world.  Because of Christ, we can be content in "ALL" circumstances.  Maybe you're sitting in a tough job with a tough boss, maybe you're struggling through some messy family stuff, maybe you're dealing with financial stress, or maybe you've got health problems or a close family member does.  Maybe life isn't happy right now.  However, we can find contentment in Christ.  Happiness is often circumstances  One thing I've learned in life is that you can't always control the circumstance in which you often find yourself.  But, we can control the source of our contentment.  When we have contentment in Christ, when our perspective on life and reality is shaped by His principles, then He's sure to give us strength to go through anything.  That doesn't mean it'll be easy or comfortable or always fun.  It simply means you'll come out on the other side and you won't go alone, and you'll begin to see life through the lens of the Gospel instead of yours.  When you realize that you have eternal life in Christ because of his death on the cross and you realize that no circumstance can take that away, you begin to understand contentment.