March 21, 2020
While Zion’s family and other Christians are banned from being together in these “social distancing” weeks, we should remember Paul’s words, “There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope at your calling” (Ephesians 4:4). Part of that mission includes a call to be content. During these crazy times, we believers will do well to find our contentment in the Lord. My phrase, “contentment craze,” sounds like an oxymoron. It seems contradictory to be “crazy” with contentment, but maybe in this extraordinary period we need a more intense commitment to finding contentment in the Lord.
In a recent home group, we were looking at Paul’s words to the believers in Philippi, believed to be written during his first imprisonment in Rome:
“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:10–13
This is the same apostle who wrote to the Christians in Corinth about some of the hardships he endured in life:
“Five times I received the forty lashes minus one from the Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, and dangers among false brothers; toil and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and without clothing. Not to mention other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If boasting is necessary, I will boast about my weaknesses.” – 2 Corinthians 11:24-30
While there is much about this COVID-19 pandemic to scare us, my prayer for each of you is that you find peace in the Prince of Peace, who told his disciples, and by extension is telling us, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful” (John 14:27).
You might say that this is easier said than done in the current chaos, and, indeed, our human emotions go up and down. I heard a pastor being interviewed on a television news program recently who said, “God does his best work in chaos.” Fear is a human emotion. Faith is a divine gift. May you find faith in this tumultuous time!
Blessings,
Pastor Steve Cote