Today is day 18 of the #iheartBible challenge that I’m hosting. If you have joined up, hooray! I’m glad you’re here. If you want to join up, then awesomesauce! Check out the challenge post for details and join in on the linky so we can all read one another’s posts during the challenge. I love Jesus and blogging, so I’m glad to see people joining in. We’d love to have you join, too. It’s never too late!
Today’s verse is Philippians 4.13. Read it below in its context (Why do I care about context?):
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Today’s verse is one of the most popular voices quoted in Christian culture. I’m pretty sure I had this as a poster on my wall when I was a teenager. I clung to it when I played volleyball. A dear family friend, Darlene, gave me a business-sized card with this verse on it. I kept it in the pocket of my volleyball shorts. I mean, I struggled when it came to serving the ball. I mean, really. So, I would put my hand in my pocket before serving to remember that Christ was with me.
Of course, the context of this verse is a little more complex than a volleyball game.
In this verse, Paul is writing, from prison, to tell the people of Philippi that he is grateful for their prayers and concerns but that he has learned to be content in whatever circumstance he finds himself. Obviously, he was not in an awesome place; prison was not a cake walk. And, therefore, he had to put his trust in God. He had to rely on the strength of Christ to get through challenging situations.
I’m of the belief that everyone has a different level of challenge and that, more importantly, Christ gives us the strength to get through whatever it may be–serving during a volleyball game or facing the death of a loved one. Anything. He cares about us so much that any challenge we face matters to Him.
I’m so glad.
Love,
