The Strength to be Content

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.   Philippians 4:10-13

Twenty five years ago, I learned an important truth while taking New Testament 101 under Dr. George Knox. Amongst the study of concepts and the memorization of important passages, I learned the importance of context in regard to understanding scripture. Basically, we learned that a passage cannot mean something different than what it originally meant in the context of the verses around it. Ever since, the misuse of context has annoyed me.

Ironically, one of the most quoted passages from the New Testament is often taken out of context.  It is a temptation to use this short and sweet passage which is high on inspiration to encourage us to succeed at whatever we attempt.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

 These words can be found on mugs, pens and posters. We hear it in the context of commencement speeches and in pep talks. And I can't disagree, God does promise to give us strength in our weakness. Yet, Paul shared these words with the Philippians in relation to something very specific, the strength to be content.

Is strength really needed for contentment? I had never really thought about it until I looked at the verse in its context. Paul is speaking about how he has learned to accept whatever circumstance he has been placed in. He says, "I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." But how does this require strength?  Is it hard to be content when you have plenty? Is verse 13 only referring to the living in want part?

Recently, it dawned on me that I don't need strength to find contentment. As if it is something to be grasped or created. Instead, what I need to finally feel content is the strength to let go of what I think I need. I can be content when I live in plenty only if I give my need to keep what I already have. Because if I live in the fear of losing it, I am not living contentedly. And if when I am in want, I can't be content as long as I am striving for me.

This is a different way of looking at it, we don't need strength to either get more or live on less. We need Christ's strength to surrender control of our lives and accept what is given to us. So that we neither strive for more or worry and fret over what might be lost. And personally, the hardest thing to surrender in my own life is control.

As I learned long ago, sometimes a passage is much easier to like out of its context than when it is looked at in its context. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. But in the end, will I actually be willing to do all the things Christ calls me to do.