The above verse is a pretty famous one. You can find it on T-shirts, social media bios, and even football cleats. It’s often used as motivation to complete a difficult task or mission; a reminder to call on God to help us do the impossible.
And while that’s a great message, achieving new heights or accomplishing miracles is not the context that Paul meant this verse in when he wrote his letter to the Philippians.
If we go back to verses 11-12, Paul writes:
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.
Paul is speaking here about contentment, something that is often not considered in our go-getter world. It is normal for us to constantly search for the next best technology, restaurant, or even relationships over sitting with what we have.
However, sometimes we don’t have that option.
I know that so far at camp this summer, there have been moments where I have had to make do with lack of sleep or interrupted focus during unprecedented situations. I don’t have time to make a trip to Wal-Mart or watch a How-To video when campers and Junior Staff are relying on me in the here and now. In those moments, I have been reminded of where my strength comes from.
Not from myself, but from God.
Paul makes the secret plain for us. The reason Paul could stay content through prison, shipwrecks, and beatings makes sense when we learn that it was not through himself, but Jesus’ power.
So, now that we know this beautiful secret of contentment, we can rely on Him to carry us through the times of plenty and scarcity, relaxation and stress, love and fear.
