Epicenter: Philippi (Exchanging Sadness for Joy) — Monday
Philippians 4:12b
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. (NIV)
“How ya doin’ tonight, sir?”
I knew what he wanted—the same thing every other homeless guy wanted. My office in downtown Nashville was near the bottom of a beautiful skyscraper. However, our employee parking garage across the street wasn’t as glamorous.
On paper, my life was going well. I’d recently been promoted, my numbers were great, I was making good money—I had every reason to be happy. Yet there I was, twenty-four, working tons of overtime and completely miserable.
“Fine,” I responded firmly, unwilling to engage with the man. I kept my head down as I made my way across the street into the garage elevator. Pressing the button for my floor, something suddenly felt off. Then came a voice:
“Go back and talk to him...”
Really, God? No. Absolutely not.
As the elevator doors began to close, they suddenly jammed and began to re-open.
“You’ve got to be kidding me…” I said in frustration.
Walking back down the street to where the man was, I noticed him playing with a yo-yo. His clothes were old and tattered. My dress shoes cost more than everything he had on. As he spoke, it was clear he struggled to keep his thoughts in order.
He introduced himself as Stanley. The more we talked, the happier and more childlike he became. After several minutes of listening to him ramble, my mind suddenly made a painful observation: Stanley had nothing—I had everything. Stanley was happy—I was miserable. What exactly was I missing here?
“Y-y-you know what? Y-you know what?!” he asked eagerly.
What?
“Jesus loves you!!” he beamed, sharing it like it was the best news in the entire world.
It was.
I grew up knowing the good news about Jesus. But somehow, at a point in my life when I was (somewhat) materially wealthy, I’d become spiritually poor in the process.
The same thing happened to the early church in Philippi. Like many of us, they became more focused on building their own castles than their relationship with the King. Luckily, Paul lets them (and us) in on a little secret: True contentment is only found in Jesus’ love for us. Nothing else in this world can compare.
Even though I never saw Stanley again, I’ve never forgotten him. More importantly, I’ve never forgotten how truly rich my life is because of Jesus.
Monday’s Reflection
Would you consider yourself someone who is content? Why or why not?
