“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I 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. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4
I wanna ask Paul, “So what is the secret?” Ya know, the one about being content in all situations? What’s the website? Where is the phone number? How do I order me some of that contentment in all situations?
His answer is in the text, though an order form would be easier to fill out. His answer to the secret of contentment? Experiencing both the good and bad of this life and seeing in it all Jesus is with you! That Easter is for you! That He rose for you!
This strength is given through Easter. The gift of Spirit Given Faith is Christs resurrection for you! This faith clings to the crucified and resurrected Christ. This Faith gives the heart stability and confidence. This Faith gives the assurance that Peace with God has been made by Christ, and now you are not a stranger or an enemy to Him but you are His Son, His Daughter, and that nothing in all Creation can come between God and you!
Throughout all the days of your life the foundation that really matters is faith in Christ. Faith that trusts despite external circumstances!
This pandemic has highlighted to me how much faith we put in others. We trust people to prepare our food in a hygienic way, we trust that others will take care and not expose others if they are sick. Really it is amazing how much faith it takes in other drivers just to get in the car and drive. Our world has inherit risks and in order to live in it we must put some level of faith in people who are not us. We cannot control all things. But the really important thing to consider is:
How much more trust worthy is our God. We can put total faith in him! The disciples after they had seen the risen Christ had assurance that whatever ups and downs they might face they were in the care and protection of The Almighty and Everlasting God. This peace is ours as well, we have been Baptized into the same life giving waters, we eat the same body and blood of Jesus and we have been given the same Spirit that can look certain death in the eye and know we are the Lord’s.
So as the roller coaster of life rages and you approach a drop that looks like it will be the end of life as you have known it, my prayer is that the Spirit would instill in us such faith that we may have peace in the turmoil and maybe enjoy the ride. That for us Peace is not an emotion or a state of mind but a fact. See Faith is the fact of Peace through the ups and downs of our Life! Faith Does not deny reality, Faith Substitutes a new reality. By Faith God calls those who are not as though they were, by faith God saves you, no sin is too great no life is too broken. No situation too dire. He is after you today and will be for the rest of your life! Don’t Fight him, let Him show you His reality. That He is the God of all hope and will fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Amen!