“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

So declares St Paul in a statement resonating with such hope and encouragement that over 2000 years later, Christians still encourage each other with it. And while this declaration is applied to virtually every obstacle we encounter, goal we set, and dream we undertake, its context for Paul was very specific. Here are the two verses preceding it:

“For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians 4:11-12

Paul has learned how to be content in any circumstance through Christ who strengthens him. Contentment. It’s neither valued nor practiced in our consumeristic society of limitless choices, instant gratification, and insatiable consumption. The moment I experience any kind of impulse or craving, I can hop on any number of apps and services to get what I want when I want it. The only thing that limits me is my credit limit. Hungry? Get food delivered now. Bored? Get entertained now. Want the newest gadget or fashion? Order it now with expedited delivery. 

My heart shrieks with Bob Wiley’s plea from the movie What About Bob?, “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! I need! I need! I need! I need! Gimme! Gimme! Please!”

Technology has caused the interval between impulse and fulfillment to shrink so much, we rarely have time to think. Years ago, we dealt with impulse shopping when we stood in line at the grocery store. Stood in line. For several minutes. That at least gave us enough time to have the internal conversation that might dissuade us from buying the magazine or candy bar. Now we deal with impulse consumerism with multiple apps on our phone. Watch a YouTube video or commercial featuring some new item and it’s ordered in less than a minute. Read an online review, tap the embedded link, and in moments you’re eagerly awaiting delivery.

And while there used to be some time for an internal conversation with reason, it is still a far cry from the contentment of which Paul speaks. Through constant interaction with God’s grace and strength, Paul has learned not to even have the impulse. Instead, he experiences what Dallas Willard calls a pervasive, overall sense of well-being. At the core of Paul’s being is peaceful satisfaction in all circumstances. When he has little, he doesn’t long for more. When he has much, he doesn’t strategize how to keep it or amass more. And he doesn’t have to work himself into a state of contentment. It’s not something he has to muster up. Rather it is easy and natural, like breathing.

I like how NT Wright translates this passage:

“In every possible situation I’ve learned the hidden secret of being full and hungry, of having plenty and going without, and it’s this: I have strength for everything in the one who gives me power.”

Paul has learned from Jesus the “hidden secret” to contentment. Paul knows he has strength for everything in Jesus who gives him power. Paul has learned how to lean into the reality of Jesus’ good news, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” God’s kingdom has arrived in Jesus, who has mastered living in it. By trusting Jesus through life-long apprenticeship to him, Paul has embraced Jesus’ lifestyle and practices and thus experiences Jesus’ life — his faith, character, and power. He has learned from Jesus how to be like Jesus in his own life. And a core aspect of that life is deep, peaceful contentment.

And while the specific context that Paul expresses his contentment is in financial provision, contentment touches on many more aspects of human life. As Jesus’ apprentices, we learn contentment with possessions, dreams, relationships, reputation, accomplishments, career, the past, the future and other facets of life. We learn that because of who God is, his world is a perfectly safe place to be and his love and goodness will prevail through any and all disappointment, tragedy, loss, pain, sorrow and even death. We are safe in and with him.

And this sense of well-being permeates us, so that over time it extinguishes our distorted desires and impulses so we are peacefully satisfied in God at all times.

That’s what Paul was learning to experience as he interacted with Jesus’ strength through the moments of his daily life. It was his hidden secret that he shared with everyone.