Hope in the Journey

Note to Self,

We were not made for the instant gratification we see in today’s culture. We weren’t made for same day shipping or short form content.

Ironically, I have found so much peace in reading just Philippians 4 in the past. Reading Paul’s words about having peace and not being anxious feels good for a moment, but it’s a quick fix and a feeling that doesn’t last much longer than the time it takes to put the Bible back on that dusty shelf.

Looking back at the rest of the book, I almost laughed at all I’ve been missing. Paul is talking about the exact opposite of what I’ve used his words to do. He doesn’t promise that God will give us happy feelings or just take our anxiety away instantly, but he gives us the strength we need to endure.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Paul didn’t expect them to instantly be knowledgeable or discerning, he simply prayed that they could grow closer and closer to that goal. Later in chapter 2, Paul went further.

Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like starts in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Philippians 2:12-16

The well-known passage in chapter 3 highlights the significance of endurance and the power of Christ.

I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and the participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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 heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:10-14

It is truly amazing that the author of these encouraging truths was none other than Paul, a man who was at the time in prison for proclaiming the truth of the gospel. Paul, the author of so much of the New Testament letters was still aware that he had not yet attained the level of sanctification he strived for.

I want to look like I have it all together. I want people to look at me and think I’m capable and righteous, but if I’m truly honest, I have not achieved the level of sanctification I desire. In fact, the more I try to pursue righteousness on my own the further I get from the one who can truly change me.

When I go to work, I need to approach each challenge with the knowledge that I may need help, and I don’t know it all. When I talk to my husband about how to load the dishwasher, I need to let go of my pride and trust that he has good ideas too. To be teachable is to swallow my pride and remember that I am not perfectly sanctified today.

On the flip side, I need to give myself grace. Just because I have not arrived at my goal, does not mean I’m failing. It just means I have a lifetime of learning and growing. There are no quick ways to sanctification, humility, knowledge, or contentment.

Now, as I return to chapter 4, I see it in a new light.

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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13

Paul is not saying that I can do everything I want to do right away or have everything I desire right away. Instead, he says that I can be content no matter where I am. I am not where I want to be, but I can have joy in every moment and hope for the future. I will continue to learn and grow. There are going to be setbacks and times that I seem to not move at all, but as I cling to the vine, I will grow more and more each day.