Happy summer day. Thank you Jesus. We
attended the High School graduation ceremony for nephew Bernard and niece Shelly
this weekend. It was held in the Arena of the Beautiful City of Binghamton. We
had a reception for the graduates after church yesterday. Sunita, Andy, and
Gabe are home for whole week. Laureen is home for the week too. We
attended three Graduation parties this weekend. It is all good. Thank you Lord
indeed. The temperature will reach into the 90's F here in the Southern tier
this week. It is summer time, indeed. It is the time to celebrate the
blessings and the beauty of the Lord. He gives us "Soul full".
The Apostle Paul, writing from Prison, made
an audacious claim and very bold affirmation in (Philippians 4:11), "I am not
saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the
circumstances." Many graduating seniors, like so many others in our world, are
hoodwinked by a Christ-less, corrosive culture, misled to think that life is a
nonstop, unceasing, search for happiness and pleasure.
Walter Kerr, in his book titled, "The
Decline of Pleasure", analyzed the discontentment of our age. He pierced
through the superficiality of much we do. He noted that the very things that we
do that should be pleasurable for us are void of joy. We do not treat them as
enjoyable in and of themselves but, rather, we use them as a means to an end.
He wrote, "We are all of us compelled to read for profit, party for contacts,
lunch for contracts, bowl for unity, drive for mileage, gamble for charity, go
out for the evening for the greater glory of municipality, and stay home for the
weekend to rebuild the house."
What a rat race life can become! Sadly
enough, many Christians are also caught up in this same restlessness. We, too,
become discontented with our lives or our circumstances. Contentment, however, is not based on the outward
circumstances of life. Paul lived a life of sufficiency and contentment in the
Lord. He had just received a gift from the church at Philippi so he wrote to
express his appreciation for the money, putting it in these words, "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" (Phil. 4:10).
Then he paused, and thought a moment, before he continued writing his letter.
This time he shared words of caution, "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" (Philippians 4:11-12).
As much as Paul appreciated his material
possessions, he wanted to make it clear that there is a contentment which goes
beyond financial security. There is an internal quality, a serenity which you
and I can have. It goes beyond outward circumstances. One can be up or down in
finances, romance, health, or friendships, and still have the stabilizing
influence of a contented outlook, an internal sufficiency. Contentment is something which is learned.
Contentment does not happen overnight. Paul
said, "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances"
(Philippians 4:11). "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." One
translation of these words from the Greek is, "I have found the secret of
life." Another says, "I have been initiated through the experience of life to
know how to be content."
This is Paul, the veteran, speaking. This
man had been around. He says, "I can bear any extreme. I can get good out of the
ups and downs of life. When I have a hungry stomach, I learn what it feels like
to be without food. Through this, there comes a new discipline of body and
mind. When I have a full stomach, I realize how much I have for which to be
thankful. Every circumstance has its lesson to teach. When I look back over
life, I see that somehow I have been brought through this all. I have learned
much. I have much for which to be grateful."
Our Lord never promises us an easy life.
Jesus said that in this world you and I will have trouble.... tribulation.. but
He also clearly taught us, "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world".
Loving and serving the Lord is exciting and challenging. It can also become at
times risky. Lloyd Ogilvie coined the phrase
"Risky Christianity." Paul was willing to risk his safety sacrifice his
comfort, for the sake of Jesus Christ. No cost was too great to hold him back
from his evangelistic efforts. He was a man in Christ. Paul saw the risk of
Christian living as being one he could not afford not to take. He had to do
it!
In the process, Paul uncovered an exciting
principle. That is, you and I are not really free persons until we are willing
to lose everything. There is no true contentment until you have been set free
from the bondage of your possessions, your status, your reputation, and your
goals. When Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of our lives, He sets us free
to high-risk living, which doesn't depend on artificial props.
In Christ,
Brown
http://youtu.be/bIQf5dD7Y9k
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