I Can Do All Things...

The statement from Paul that stands out to me is, “I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content.” We are not born to be content. Our natural spirit, our human nature, is to strive to get more and be more. In order to fulfill our senses and satisfy our desires we look for the temporary fixes. I think what Paul is saying is he hadn’t learned to experience contentment, or what being content really means.

In our human minds, in the world we live, people tell us that being content means having everything you want. But is that really the true definition? Or does that lead to a dead end? Paul learned that being content means wanting only what you have. He learned God created man to love people and use things. We weren’t created to love stuff. The stuff we have falls short in reaching the deep needs of our hearts whether we have want or abundance.

What’s the secret to living a content life? Paul answers it without us having to ask in verse 13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This is my favorite verse, I have it tattooed on my wrist. This theme runs throughout the entire epistle. The secret to our victory is learning Christ is enough. Jesus is our satisfaction. In Christ we have enough, in Christ we are enough. And because of that we can do all things through the strength He gives. Being content means we realize the source of our contentment is not in the temporary things of this world, but in Christ and Christ alone.

Father, allow me to have a spirit of contentment. Open my eyes to the life I live and things I place in front of my relationship with you. Give me the strength to understand the source of content comes from you and you alone. May the anthem of my life be “to live is Christ, to die is gain.” And may I realize this only happens when I understand where my strength comes from. “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Amen!