In the hustle and bustle of modern life, many seek the elusive secret to happiness and fulfillment. We chase after achievements, possessions, and relationships, hoping they will bring us lasting satisfaction. Yet, amidst this pursuit, the wisdom of ages past offers us a profound revelation—a timeless truth that goes beyond quick thrills and temporary gains.
In Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT), God shares this wisdom through the Apostle Paul: “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
Paul’s words resonate with a clarity that cuts through the noise of our desires and fears. He talks about contentment not just as a passing feeling tied to what’s happening around us, but as a state of being anchored in something deeper. It is a contentment grounded in faith and trust in Christ, who provides strength beyond our own capabilities.
Surrendering to the present
Also revealed with clarity in the wisdom of Philippians 4:11 is Paul’s attitude towards the present. He said, “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.” This lesson is crucial for believers today. Often, we strive to avoid any form of discomfort and meticulously plan out our ideal futures, including our envisioned marital partners. In doing so, we sometimes overlook the present moment, missing out on the opportunity to be honest and open before God.
The lives we’re living this very moment are possible because of one central reality; God’s strategic positioning of every human life. Acts 17:24-28 (NLT) emphasizes His absolute sovereignty over human history and His purpose in establishing our destinies: “24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs–for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him–though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”
Our lives are not our own. We belong to God. He is our Creator, and we were born when we were, where we were, according to His exact timing. In this place, in the present, we are either satisfied or dissatisfied, and both of those states is dependent upon how we have employed God’s Word to believe boldly or not so much. The quality of our lives is based solely on the decisions and choices we have made. This is a very challenging piece of truth for many of us to face but surrendering to the present requires us to do so.
The life we’ve built
All any of us have is right now, and right now informs us of where we are spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Many of us are trying frantically to move ourselves away from the life we’ve built without accepting the reality that it is the life we have. The answer is not to acquiesce to defeat and disappointment, but to recognize God’s purpose right where we are. This is the secret to living.
God has a plan for our lives, and sometimes we’re so busy trying to make things happen that we miss His Will. He assures us that we can do all things through Christ, and this affirms that we are equipped to follow His Will with faith and endurance. So, the leap of faith we all need to take involves a transformation in our thinking and behavior, leading us to intentionally create space in the lives we’re now living.
Flourish in faith
This means embracing a mindset that prioritizes what truly matters to our Heavenly Father and releasing what we think truly matters to us. He knows best and trusting this allows our faith to flourish. Our responsibility and privilege are to bloom where we’re planted. Faith makes this possible. It requires the courage to let go of old habits, beliefs, or anything else that hinders our growth.
So, what is the secret to life? It is the wisdom of finding contentment in all circumstances through a deep-rooted faith in Christ. It’s realizing that our strength doesn’t come from ourselves but from leaning on God’s infinite power. At its core, placing our faith in God and His Word empowers us to live authentically and intentionally in the moment. Surrendering to His Will in every area of our existence will reveal the opportunities and blessings that nurture the life in Christ that He desires for us all. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“The Secret to Living”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.