Daily Scripture: Philippians 4:10 In union with the Lord I greatly rejoice that now, after this long time, you have let your concern for me express itself again. Of course, you were concerned for me all along, but you had no opportunity to express it. 11 Not that I am saying this to call attention to any need of mine; since, as far as I am concerned, I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power.
Reflection Questions:
From a prison cell (Philippians 1:13), Paul shared his inner response to gifts he had received from the Christians in the city of Philippi. His words showed how “needs” and “wants” fit together in his life, in good times and bad. In Christ, he said, he had “learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance.”
- Paul did not glorify or glamorize poverty or hunger in these verses. (If it’s true that money does not guarantee happiness, that’s certainly also true of poverty!) Paul expressed heartfelt gratitude for what the Philippians had sent. How did those gifts represent God’s care for Paul’s needs? In what ways are you able to be God’s physical presence to bless someone else who is in need?
- Paul had learned to be content in every situation. How did he express his “secret” (verse 13)? How, if at all, have you learned to take strength from God’s presence when you deal with scarcity? On the other hand, do you ever have trouble finding contentment when dealing with plenty? If so, how does God help?
Lord Jesus, keep growing in me the awareness that you, and not my “stuff,” are the secret to a contented life. Guide me toward a life of gratitude rather than grasping for more. Amen.
Ginger Rothhaas is a seminary student at Saint Paul School of Theology and is serving in Congregational Care at The Church of the Resurrection.
When I saw my Grow Pray Study guide topic for today’s blog (“Learning how to be content”) my initial reaction was to trade writing days with another blogger!
I struggle to find contentment! I have a library of books on “How To Be Content,” and I’m not even content with the suggestions in those books!
I see people who are content and think…What is their secret? Why am I always restless for more?
In a prison cell, Paul writes that he has “learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance.” Okay, here we go. Someone is about to explain the secret to me…I’m ready….Bring it on Paul…
“Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Oh, Paul, there you go being amazing again!
Sitting in a prison cell, don’t you think he has to be questioning his calling to teach the world about Jesus? It hasn’t been going so well for him lately! How does he stay so faithful and content?!!?
Living in North America today, I have every freedom I could want, access to lots of stuff I desire, the ability to live into my calling when it is convenient for me, but I can’t find the secret to contentment that he has found as he sits on a stone floor of a prison cell.
Paul is not just being amazing. He is using his story as an opportunity to teach us the secret.
The secret is [drumroll] appreciation.
Appreciation is what I imagine Paul is experiencing in that prison cell. I think in a Q&A with Paul today, he would teach us that the secret to his survival and sustaining a passion for teaching. I think he would say it is to be in constant appreciation. For him, in that moment, he is in deep appreciation for the strength only God can provide.
Appreciation for what we have in this moment, not thinking about the next. Sheryl Crow reminded me of this in her song “Soak Up The Sun” with the lyrics, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.”
Maybe our practice of this would sound something like:
Oh–and thank you, readers, for being on the journey with me. I appreciate you!
When I saw my Grow Pray Study guide topic for today’s blog (“Learning how to be content”) my initial reaction was to trade writing days with another blogger!
I struggle to find contentment! I have a library of books on “How To Be Content,” and I’m not even content with the suggestions in those books!
I see people who are content and think…What is their secret? Why am I always restless for more?
In a prison cell, Paul writes that he has “learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance.” Okay, here we go. Someone is about to explain the secret to me…I’m ready….Bring it on Paul…
“Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Oh, Paul, there you go being amazing again!
Sitting in a prison cell, don’t you think he has to be questioning his calling to teach the world about Jesus? It hasn’t been going so well for him lately! How does he stay so faithful and content?!!?
Living in North America today, I have every freedom I could want, access to lots of stuff I desire, the ability to live into my calling when it is convenient for me, but I can’t find the secret to contentment that he has found as he sits on a stone floor of a prison cell.
Paul is not just being amazing. He is using his story as an opportunity to teach us the secret.
The secret is [drumroll] appreciation.
Appreciation is what I imagine Paul is experiencing in that prison cell. I think in a Q&A with Paul today, he would teach us that the secret to his survival and sustaining a passion for teaching. I think he would say it is to be in constant appreciation. For him, in that moment, he is in deep appreciation for the strength only God can provide.
Appreciation for what we have in this moment, not thinking about the next. Sheryl Crow reminded me of this in her song “Soak Up The Sun” with the lyrics, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got.”
Maybe our practice of this would sound something like:
- Thank you [old grungy car] for safely getting me to work today.
- Thank you [messy small house] for being a refuge for my family.
- Thank you [difficult boss] for teaching me.
- Thank you [job I don’t like] for paying me so that I can provide for my family.
- Thank you [sun that is in my eyes as I drive] for warming the earth today.
- Thank you [pain in my shoulder] for reminding me that we all have pain in some form and to show compassion to others.
- Thank you [leaves I need to rake] for giving us a beautiful summer of shade.
- Thank you [for this prison cell I am currently in] because I get to serve God in ways I may never understand.
- Thank you [for being alive today] because I can bring love and light to the earth one more day.
Oh–and thank you, readers, for being on the journey with me. I appreciate you!
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
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