Paul

If I had to live with the Apostle Paul, I think he’d drive me crazy.  My family’s going through some difficult times right now and I think if Paul was here, he’d say, “I have learned to be content in whatever state I’m in” (Philippians 4:11).

If Paul said that to me, I’d tell him to “Shut up!”  If his words came from anyone else, I’d fire off a series of missiles, “You arrogant, scripture spouting, ignorant, unsympathetic person!   You don’t understand.  That’s easy for you to say.”

But because Paul said it, I wouldn’t be able to say these words to him and it’s not because he’s an apostle.   It’s because I see all the difficulties in his life and all the trials he went through (which far exceeds mine) and he still says, “I’ve learned to be content.”  This doesn’t sit well with me because I know what’s going to come out of his mouth next is, “You can learn this too.”  And that’s something I don’t want to hear.

The interesting thing about this Scripture is that Christians remember another verse about a hundred times more that this one. And the irony is that this often quoted verse sits right beside this one.  Listen to what Paul says:

…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.

And the verse we remember:

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. –Philippians 4:11-13

I don’t like stress.  I want to be comfortable.  And what I hear Paul saying is that you can’t have your cake and eat it too.  In other words, I can’t have everything I want.  However, Paul is giving me a choice.  He’s telling me that I can strive to obtain things to give me comfort and security in this life.  Or I can seek God’s presence in my life and He will be my security.  I think that’s what Paul is saying, when he says,

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:7

Maybe Paul would not be such a pain in the neck after all.