I’m stoked I get to write for you all again. If you take a look at Philippians 4:11-14, we might paraphrase, “I am to be content, through Christ who strengthens me.” This is a little tricky because it sounds like we can bring about our own contentment by using Jesus’ power.
This analogy came to mind to illustrate what Paul is really trying to say. There’s a little boy who’s upset over misplacing his favorite toy truck. But his Dad calls him over to console him; he says put your hands on this saw and help me cut this board in two. So the boy places his hands on the saw’s handle, and then his Dad places his hands over the boy’s. Together, they start the work of sawing. The boy feels the saw biting into the wood, guided by his Dad’s strength. Just like that, the boy no longer cares about the truck.
In the analogy, Christ is powering the saw, and Paul is the little boy. The little boy might go on to say he cut that board with his Dad’s strength. He might even be emboldened, and boast, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Hopefully, the boy won’t then try to saw a branch in half at school by himself to impress his friends. The point is the little boy’s focus was lifted off himself and set on his father.
The secret to contentment is to be thoroughly preoccupied with Christ’s business. He’s calling each of us to “help” him build his kingdom. Obviously, he needs nothing from us, just like the boy’s dad really didn’t need his help, but Christ planned out ways we could play genuinely fulfilling roles. Now, we get to do his work with him, and that is truly awesome. So let’s forget about the misplaced toy truck and go saw some lumber with Christ!
Jonathan Duncan
EFCC Member