I Have Learned

 

Once upon a time I used to think the apostle Paul had been an arrogant chauvanistic man.  For example, just look at the phraseology of these couple of verses...

"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" (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV).

There are so many 'I's'  in there, with 'I can do this' and that's' and at first glance the attitude seems boastful.  Yet, I see the phrase, "I have learned...".  When I took a minute to step back and ponder on Paul's life I recalled he went through an awful lot for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his special mission to tell the Gentiles about Him.

He had come from a well-to-do family it seems, yet he obviously, at times post-conversion, was rather destitute.  So the "I have learned..." had come at a cost.  He had learned the "secret of contentment" though no matter how tough it had been.

Most of us don't learn such things overnight.  Such "knowledge" often comes from repeated painful, humbling experiences.  Paul had had his share of those.  I now see his words as being spoken with humility.  After all, the second chapter of this letter to the Philippians talks about an attitude of humility that had characterized Jesus Christ.  He'd asked the Philippians to have this same attitude of mind (see Philippians 2:5-11).  

Paul's strength to go through the learning process had come from Jesus Himself.  Paul was passing on this secret of being content in any and every situation, to the the Philippians.

Most of us love to be in on a secret.  This is one all followers of Jesus Christ can be privy too.  Instead of grumbling the whole week through, we can humbly be content and give our Lord thanks and praise with an attitude of gratitude, no matter what.  Tall order, but let's learn this lesson so we too, can humbly echo Paul and say,

"I have learned..." 

and then go out to fulfil our respective God-given missions.

Lord Jesus, You are our perfect example of humility.  You learned to be content with Your earthly lot.  You came from the heights of Heaven's glory, down to Earth's sin and darkness.  You fulfilled Your mission despite all.  You have turned our darkness into light because You are Light.

In turn, I ask for that same attitude of humility and contentment with my lot in life here on earth.  I confess, I so often complain.  I repent, Lord Jesus.  Help me, give me Your strength to praise, to be grateful, to be content, no matter the situation.  Help me to grow in this grace.  Thank You for Holy Spirit's help.  

In Your name Jesus, thank You.

                                                  ~ ERC  October 2023 ~

Based on Philippians 4:11-13 NIV.

Sing, The Grumblers, along with Bob Givens/J Clef Chorale.