Do you want to hear a secret?

Do you want to hear a secret? 🤫

I want to tell you the secret to finding contentment.

Do you want to hear a secret?

This week's devotions are written by my friend Jessica Hermann, former director of our college ministry at Great Hills Baptist Church.

- Pastor Danny

"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."

(Philippians 4:12)

I have a secret to tell you.

Did that capture your attention? When someone lets on that they have a secret to share, people lean in. What could it be? Well, to confess, the secret I have to share isn't mine... but it's not gossip. It's from Paul. This week, we have spoken about contentment. While the case for contentment's importance is easily made biblically, practically, it can be difficult to actually implement. How does one achieve contentment? Paul let slip that he knows the secret to contentment. He says:

"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. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:10-13)

We cannot will ourselves into contentment. Focusing as hard as we can, squeezing our forehead, clenching our fists, and striving mightily cannot force our hearts into contentment. Contentment is not achieved through effort; it comes through surrender. When we surrender to Christ and stop relying on our own strength, only then can we be strengthened by Christ and "do all things". Did you know this verse is talking about contentment?

When we surrender to Christ, we lay down our own striving and rest in the finished work of Christ. This rest teaches us to rely on the Lord for all that we need, since we are not striving for it under our own power anymore. This reliance on the Lord breeds contentment, for we trust that God does what is best for us at all times, with purpose and on purpose, and has us where He wants us with what He wants us to have. Therefore, we can accept our lot through faith and be content as an act of faith. Contentment is having faith that God has given you exactly what He wants for you at any given time.

"But how can I be content with such horrid circumstances?" you may be thinking. Well, Paul doesn't speak of contentment only when things are good. He says that in abundance and in need, he has learned to be content, because contentment doesn't actually have anything to do with your circumstances; it has everything to do with relying on the Lord's strength. Christ is the secret to contentment. Union with Christ makes contentment in any and all circumstances possible.

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Podcast of the Week

A Blessed & Gracious Man, with Thunderbird Pilot Fred Erickson

Pastor Danny welcomes to the show his friend Fred Erickson, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, Thunderbird pilot, and Vietnam war veteran. Fred is chairman both of the deacons and of the Finance Committee at Great Hills Baptist Church and a long-time member of the church with his wife Fran. Fred is also chairman of the board at Restoration Ranch, TX, a non-profit in the Austin area that helps women escape bad situations, overcome addictions, and build their relationship with Jesus. Fred talks about all of this and more in this episode, including some harrowing war stories.

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