Time well spent indeed

I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do. (Philippians 4:12-13)

Most of us live in such a way that we have all of what we need, even though we might be wanting much more than we have. Some might actually live with more than they need. What Paul learned was contentment in lean times and in times of great advantage. He developed a 'consistency of heart' - something we all would do well to learn sooner than later. Christ is the one who gives that consistency of heart, but we have to be open to receive what he gives when he gives it. Maybe consistency really comes when we learn to be open to receiving whatever it is he has for us.

Christ gives us the strength to do whatever we must do - in good times, or bad, in lean times, or times of tremendous blessing beyond measure. Leaning into him to learn his heart is what brings the greatest contentment. Whenever we are struggling a bit with contentment, always wanting more and more, we would do well to spend a little more time with Jesus. When we do, we find ourselves drawn into his presence, finding the peace and contentment that eludes us when we are way over-extended, busier than is best for our bodies or minds, or vegged out so much that we don't really engage in the things we should be doing.

The strength Paul references here is not just physical strength to 'do a job', but emotional, spiritual, and relational strength. Contentment of heart brings a great deal of strength - because we aren't wasting that strength in the pursuit of what will not last or what is really outside of God's will for our lives. The strength we need - sometimes we don't really appreciate the amount of strength God gives because it comes in the ways we least expect it. We might expect physical strength, so we can endure whatever it is we are facing without tiring. God may give emotional strength instead, simply because he knows the things we are facing are going to drain us in that area more than they will physically. When our emotions are drained, physical strength soon goes out the window!

God isn't going to magically make all this 'strength' appear in our lives. We need to press into his presence, learn from Christ, and live close to him. As we 'spend' time and talent with him, we soon find 'time and talent' for the things we have need of come our way! Just sayin!