May 8 - Lesson Learned

Phillippians 4:10-13

What does it mean to “learn” something?  Does learning just happen?  Is it instantaneous?  Or does it take time and effort?

Reading today’s passage, I kept coming back to the word, learned. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (v. 11). “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation” (v. 12).

Learning implies that you don’t already know something. By definition, it means to gain or acquire knowledge. Paul had to learn how to be content. I definitely wouldn’t consider his former self (Saul) to be content. It’s something he had to study and experience and there is no doubt his relationship with God was at the core of his new understanding.

Paul found himself in some difficult situations and through these trials he learned how to be content by relying on God. We are all called to learn many lessons during our time here on earth. Some lessons come easier than others, but we never just “know” something. It takes at least some amount of time, effort and study in order to learn.

So, don’t beat yourself up if you’re not content during these unprecedented times. You are not expected to just know contentment.  It’s going to take time to study, experience and learn what it means for you. And contentment may look different at different times, but I hope you keep verse 13 in mind, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

My prayer for you (and me) is that one day we’ll be able to say like Paul, with conviction, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”