The secret of living content in any situation…
There is a verse that is often used out of context in the book of Philippians. It is the 13th verse of the 4th chapter and it reads “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” I have seen and heard this verse used in reference to sporting events (we can win or perform well since God gives us strength…), academic settings (we can test well since God made our brains…), and a hosts of other situations. However the interesting thing to me is that this verse is set in the context of money. Paul is talking about poverty and affluence, plenty and want, wealth and need.
For the last 8 months or so I have lived in one of the poorer neighborhoods of Philadelphia. I am reluctant to say that I have lived in poverty, because I realize that as Americans we haven’t even come close to the extent of poverty other nations and peoples endure. Regardless (but with a holy regard for those in need around the world), I still consider my neighborhood poor. There are few banks; many of the local businesses are not doing well; the few parks that exist around the neighborhood are ill-kept; the neighborhood children often don’t have things I can recall having as I child (baseball bats, balls, etc.); and there are simply parts of the neighborhood that are trashed (and also parts that are very well kept to give you a fuller understanding).
In stark contrast I have been home in Akron for a week. I had the chance to meet some friends for brunch in a house where one of my friends worked as a nanny. It was opulent (go look it up). And as we (my collegiate friends and I) toured this massive estate we were taken aback by how much there was. The rooms were so big; some rooms were simply for clothes or toys.
And as we caught up a friend, noticing my discomfort with the surrounding plenty, jokingly suggested that I pretend that half of the house wasn’t there. We laughed and continued catching up. But her statement, offhand as it was, stuck with me. Could I simply just pretend that the house wasn’t as big as it was or that the luxuries within weren’t as nice as they were?
I couldn’t. For to me, to ignore the riches of affluence is also to ignore the depths of poverty. To simply pretend that this house wasn’t too large, would be to say that some of the houses in Philly aren’t too small for the 3 generations contained within them. Affluence cannot be ignored or watered down, nor can poverty.
So I have come to this place of discomfort. I find myself uncomfortable when around poverty. (These people have so little!) And I find myself uncomfortable around affluence. (These people have so much!) Even as I come to worship at the church where I grew up, I can’t help but notice the projectors, and fog machines, and sound equipment. And I find myself discomforted wondering if we have lavished ourselves?
And then there’s Paul who says this in Philippians 4
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
And I find myself at a loss of understanding. This often misused verse of doing all things through him who gives us strength is in reference to economic status. And Paul says that he can live content in either! In fact he alludes that there is some “secret” to being able to be content in any situation!
So I find myself uncomfortable around plenty or want, while Paul says that he can be content in either! What’s the secret Paul? Does the rest of the book of Philippians contain some clues? Does the simple yet powerful mantra of “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” give us sufficient direction and understanding into this secret?
And that’s all I have, this uncomfortable question. This seeking out of a secret. I hope it leaves you somewhat discomforted and that we can together seek out the answer to this mystery.
Grace and peace.
Joy Baltzly said,
April 11, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I have been struggling with this in a different way then you have. My whole life I’ve had little (in terms of house and stuff, always had plenty in terms of needs, growing up on a grain farm…). There’s been a lot I’ve wanted that I knew my family just would never have. But lately I’ve been realizing that if I’d lived in a real nice house, with plenty of cool things I would probably have trouble relating to the friends I have. And I am happy with who I am. Now I am an engineer, and suddenly what I could never afford is now closer within my reach. .. But I am finding that I’m not sure I want it anymore. Because I know that having more just makes you worry more about this temporary existence, and focus on protecting or caring for stuff that other people might steal or judge based on my possessions. But at the same time having too little can make you afraid of going hungry, or not enjoying your life fully. Possibly limiting experiences like attending events, parks, etc. I have found that I don’t want what I have to change who I am. I think there is a fine balance of having enough that you don’t feel sorry for yourself, but not so much that you feel guilty or gluttenous. I think any situation that makes us focus on stuff more than loving the people around us will make us discontent. I thought about the comment you made about the projectors and fog machines at church…. I have felt this similar way because the churches that I’ve attended prior definitely didn’t have this much. But there is a certain group of people that these things would attract to this particular church, and maybe hold them there long enough for them to hear some truth. I think maybe this church had to accomodate the surrounding culture to grab peoples’ interest that are just “passing through”.
Not sure if this rambling has really made a whole lot of sense. My thoughts are just that I do kind of understand what it means for having want becoming plenty, and how it can change your perspective if you let it. I think it’s important to hold your identity in Christ as a definition of who you are and not what you have or what you do because that can all change in a heartbeat. I think that is what Paul is talking about…contentness is completely unrelated to what we have. Contentness is all about knowing we are loved by Christ regardless of our earthly experience. But that is why it’s a constant struggle, because we know this yet there are times contentness feels unattainable. But happiness is not contentment. I think being content is what keeps us from chasing worldly desires, but we can only have contentment if we are trusting in God to provide. My heart will always break for the people in the world struggling to survive on little, but I know I can’t help them all… this is where prayer has to fill the gap. We do what we can to serve and love, but in the end God is in control.
I hope you are enjoying this time in Ohio Joe! It was great to see you! Happy Easter!!!!
Joy Baltzly said,
April 11, 2009 at 7:38 pm
I have been struggling with this in a different way then you have. My whole life I’ve had little (in terms of house and stuff, always had plenty in terms of needs, growing up on a grain farm…). There’s been a lot I’ve wanted that I knew my family just would never have. But lately I’ve been realizing that if I’d lived in a real nice house, with plenty of cool things I would probably have trouble relating to the friends I have. And I am happy with who I am. Now I am an engineer, and suddenly what I could never afford is now closer within my reach. .. But I am finding that I’m not sure I want it anymore. Because I know that having more just makes you worry more about this temporary existence, and focus on protecting or caring for stuff that other people might steal or judge based on my possessions. But at the same time having too little can make you afraid of going hungry, or not enjoying your life fully. Possibly limiting experiences like attending events, parks, etc. I have found that I don’t want what I have to change who I am. I think there is a fine balance of having enough that you don’t feel sorry for yourself, but not so much that you feel guilty or gluttenous. I think any situation that makes us focus on stuff more than loving the people around us will make us discontent. I thought about the comment you made about the projectors and fog machines at church…. I have felt this similar way because the churches that I’ve attended prior definitely didn’t have this much. But there is a certain group of people that these things would attract to this particular church, and maybe hold them there long enough for them to hear some truth. I think maybe this church had to accomodate the surrounding culture to grab peoples’ interest that are just “passing through”.
Not sure if this rambling has really made a whole lot of sense. My thoughts are just that I do kind of understand what it means for having want becoming plenty, and how it can change your perspective if you let it. I think it’s important to hold your identity in Christ as a definition of who you are and not what you have or what you do because that can all change in a heartbeat. I think that is what Paul is talking about…contentness is completely unrelated to what we have. Contentness is all about knowing we are loved by Christ regardless of our earthly experience. But that is why it’s a constant struggle, because we know this yet there are times contentness feels unattainable. But happiness is not contentment. I think being content is what keeps us from chasing worldly desires, but we can only have contentment if we are trusting in God to provide. My heart will always break for the people in the world struggling to survive on little, but I know I can’t help them all… this is where prayer has to fill the gap. We do what we can to serve and love, but in the end God is in control.
I hope you are enjoying this time in Ohio Joe! It was great to see you! Happy Easter!!!!
P.S.: Forgot to say good post!
Hillary said,
April 14, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Joe
I really felt what you meant in this one i think. Or at least, I really feel a deep agreement with what you say. this often comes on sundays, when i go to south street and later our home church.
It was good to see you when you were home (though it was short, and we didn’t get to talk much. but I enjoyed your presence). i’m sure we will be in touch.
Tyler said,
May 10, 2009 at 5:57 am
Well said. My beans just finished. Good night!
Drew Dudek said,
August 17, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Hi Joe,
It has been a long time brother. I just read some of your blogs, good stuff. Funny, I think our generation has really taken notice to the poor more then the last. Not sure why? I myself, can’t seem get them out of my head. Jesus says to many things about the poor that I can’t run from. Anyway, I really got to see poverty in it’s fullness in Northern Ghana this summer. Jenna (my wife) and I got to spend a month out there with a small church group. Your right, I haven’t found anyone in America that has less then some of the Ghanaians. I saw street orphans with just rags and no love. It breaks the heart. I think I was able to give something to those children, tangible love. Hugs and time. I felt God saying that he would send someone all the way across the world and spend thousands of dollars on air fair, just to give one child a loving hug. It made me think that that is how much he loves me. It’s making me see that God has the natural resources, and that’s the easy part, it’s getting people to go is the hard part. I feel as if I just got off a tread mill and started to actually run forward a little. Not their yet, but pushing for something real. It’s scary, but at the same time blissful, because the grace is so there!
Anyway, I have to get back to coding. Hope this makes sense, I write programs not essays. I’ll be reading more of your blog, please keep writing, it’s encouraging.
Thanks!
Drew Dudek