Paul's Letter to the Church in Philippi: I
read this beautiful four-chapter letter at a time when it appeared the bottom
had been knocked off my world. I was
still reeling from the blow. I was full of anger, resentment, regret and a
great deal of pain. I felt under siege. This letter of Paul was like an oasis
in a completely dry and hopelessly impossible situation.
I first turned to the Book of Philippians
after an unsettling night in which I slept for some hours but woke up somewhat
unrefreshed and troubled. As my eyes
opened and I surveyed my room trying to pick out familiar objects in the faltering
light of dawn, the troubles I was facing tumbled into my mind - all the debris
and unfruitful thoughts - like a ton of bricks falling down a bridge that has
caved in the middle. I felt weighed down...
The Holy Spirit is proactive. The thought that
floated into my mind at that time, that gave me the impetus to get out of bed
and even to take an early morning brisk walk was - "Forgetting what is
behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to
win the prize for which God has called me".
I liked that thought. I liked the feel of it.
It brought to my mind the first time I tasted passion fruit. The name was
somewhat funky and I did not really know what to expect. I held the small oval
fruit with a hard cover in the palm of my hand and thought: "Is
this it?" I did not really get any great vibes. Passion fruit?
I struggled to slice through the hard dark cover only to find this orange
jelly-like substance with lots of tiny seeds mingled in it. I took a
teaspoonful full of the jelly and hesitantly dropped a tiny bit on my
tongue. I was not quite sure I liked the sour tang of it. It took a while
before I really appreciated that fruit and its name. I fell in love with
it after I was treated to a cold glass of Passion fruit - Uganda style.
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I
press on toward the goal..."
Like my encounter with Passion fruit, I
embraced the phrase in small doses first. I allowed it to play over
and over again in my mind. Every time anger-thoughts and despair attempted to
put their toes in through the doorway of my mind, I countered with the phrase:
"Forgetting the past, I press forward..."
I chewed over this phrase during my walk.
I quickly put it up on my BB. When I got back from my walk, I decided to
make a meal of the Book of Philippians; especially when I noted that there were
only four short chapters.
Here are the key lessons I learned for a
situation when you feel choked and under siege; when it feels as though the
worst of life's bitter pills has been forced down your throat. Ugh hhh!
1. Rejoice, be glad even when it looks really
bad and dark and ominous. Easier said than done eh! You have to mix this
with faith in any case. You cannot run away from the necessity to exercise
faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. So even when you are so
completely weighed down, determine that you will rejoice. It works.
Says Paul, ' Now I want you to know, brothers
and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance
the gospel." It may sound far-fetched, but depending on how you handle it,
your situation could serve to advance the gospel or advance the good of your
generation.
Paul continues: "for I know that
through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has
happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. (Philippians 1:12, 19 NIV).
2. While in the middle of this "ugly
monster situation" (remember, Paul wrote this letter while still in
the dungeons!); while you are still trying to walk your way out of the black
hole, "Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on
others. Be humble, think of others as better than yourself. Don't just
think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and in what they
are doing" (chapter 2: 3 & 4. The Living Bible). Tall order?
3 Paul advises further: "In everything
you do, stay away from complaining and arguing. So that no one can speak a
word of blame against you" (2:14 -15). For some of us this is like asking
us to commit Harakiri! But we can at least try.
4. "Always be full of joy in The Lord; I
say it again, rejoice!" - This cannot be overemphasized. The state of joyfulness is one that you
deliberately choose to embrace. Like an accelerating car, you need a
great deal of energy at start-off, but it gets better once you are determined
to take a go at it. Remember you can always draw strength from the Holy
Spirit. He is always willing to help if you care to ask.
5. "Don't worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything; tell God your needs and don't forget to thank him for
his answers... You will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful
than the human mind can understand... " (4:6-7).
6. "Fix your thoughts on what is true and
good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell
on fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and
be glad about". (4:8)
7. Learn how to get along happily whether you
have much or little. Like Paul, learn how to live on almost nothing or with
everything. (4:11-12).
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