This Summer, we are going to focus on the favorite scriptural texts of our congregation each week in our worship services. I pray that through this process over the summer, we will get to know each other better….and we will also learn more about how we can serve our community more.
This morning, we will read a portion of St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Gary Gallagher highlighted Philippians 4:14 as his favorite scripture. This passage speaks to Paul’s sense of contentment despite experiencing hardships in his life – he counsels us that we can feel joy even when our lives are not going the way we expected. This is an important message for us – we also can feel contentment, and joy, despite our lives not going the way we always want or expect.
Listen now to the reading of our message from St. Paul, as he wrote it to the people of the Philippian church, starting at chapter 4, verse 10:
The Scripture Lesson Philippians 4:10-20
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were 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 all this through him who gives me strength.
Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Here ends this reading of the word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, open our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear what you are saying to us today. Guide us out of our comfort zones and into your deep peace. Amen.
The Message The Secret of Contentment
In Sweden, there is a concept called “Lagom (lah-gom). Lagom roughly translates to “Not too little, not too much. Just enough.” It is a societal practice of moderation and sustainability – the goal is to find contentment in equilibrium–having exactly what you need to live well without creating waste or excessive stress – true contentment.
Contentment is happiness and satisfaction….it is accepting our lot in life and fully adjusting to what we have.
Most of us Americans do not feel content. We are experts at the “if only” trap ....”I will be happy IF ONLY I get the perfect job….” “I will be happy IF ONLY I get the 2.5 children of my dreams…” “ I will be happy IF ONLY I live in my suburban dream home with the white picket fence.” “I will be happy IF ONLY I finish all of the craft projects I have started.” “I will be happy IF ONLY I get my basement organized.” Most of us have our own version of the “IF ONLY” trap….we think that happiness will come when we reach a goal, but sometimes that goal is unattainable, and sometimes there are too many of those goals, and sometimes we add steps to the goal and move the goalposts further away. Contentment is unattainable.
Paul wrote his letter to the people of Philippi while he was locked up in jail. He lost his freedom to travel and his freedom to evangelize to the people of the world. He spent his days chained to a Roman soldier who was guarding him. He was imprisoned and was waiting for his trial. Yet, he wrote “...for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.” He wrote that contentment isn’t about getting what you want, it is about realizing what you have in Christ.
Paul’s faith in Jesus, his relationship with Jesus, and his trust in God, helped him experience true contentment….it wasn’t about being full after a hungry spell or having a lot of resources after a time of need….Paul’s relationship with Jesus gave him the strength to endure, and to thrive, despite challenges that would undermine other people.
As Paul was explaining that his relationship with Jesus was the source of his contentment, he made one of his most memorable statements: “ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” This testimony is the scripture Gary highlighted as his favorite, and it is a guiding claim for many Christians. Our relationship with Jesus is the “spiritual superpower” that helps us endure whatever challenges we face – our relationship with Jesus can become for us a source of our contentment. Our relationship with Jesus helps us to have resilience despite whatever challenges come our way.
In Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the Bible, The Message, he translated the testimony found in verse 13 as “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” I can make it through anything because of the God who makes me who I am. We can make it through anything because of the God who makes us who we are.
We know that often, everything in our lives doesn’t go according to plan. We don’t get every job we interview for. Our hearts are broken by failed relationships or family disharmony. People we love die. Friends move away. Our feelings get hurt, and we hurt other people…..everything in our lives doesn’t go according to plan.
But, we can work towards contentment….we can deepen our faith in God and trust that God will give us the strength to endure…the strength to accept. God supports us during our challenges. God loves us when we fail. God helps us figure out “Plan B” when “Plan A” doesn’t happen. We must work to trust God’s plan for us and find joy in God’s presence in our lives. We can do all this through him who gives us strength.
Amen.
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