Racecar Drivers and the BibleSample

Corey LaJoie is a current NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver and reporter for NASCAR on Amazon Prime. Having grown up in the sport, he now drives for Spire Motorsports and lives in North Carolina with his wife and three kids. His favorite Bible verses are Philippians 4:12-13.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Corey says, “Everybody has heard of Philippians 4:13, and many people have tattoos of it. Not often is it in the context it was originally written with verse 12 in front of it.” This is true indeed. Reading Philippians 4:13 in the context of the verses around it and within the rest of Philippians is so important. Let’s shed some light on this context.

Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi while he is in PRISON. If there was any place that Paul should not be content with being, it should be prison. However, Paul exudes joy and peace throughout his entire letter to the Philippian church. How can someone be so at peace and full of joy while chained to a Roman guard? Paul gives us his secret to contentment in these verses at the end of his letter: he does it through Christ’s strength.

When Paul writes, “I can do all things through him who gives me strength,” he is referring to Christ. He doesn’t mean that he can do anything he wants because of Christ or that he can achieve anything because of Christ. Looking back at verse 12 and even his whole letter to the Philippians, he is saying that he can endure whatever situation he is placed in because of Christ’s strength inside of him. He can live in contentment whether he is sick, hungry, wealthy, or in need. Whatever phase of life he is in, he can be content because he is walking in Christ’s strength.

As followers of Christ, we are called to find contentment in his strength too. Can you say that you are living a contented life in Christ? Or do you find yourself dissatisfied, worried, or striving to achieve your next steps on your own? Instead of relying on our own strength, we should rely on Christ’s strength. He is stronger than any trial, disease, financial issue, or broken relationship. Whatever is causing you to be dissatisfied or anxious today, bring it to Christ. Ask him to give you his strength to face the struggles in front of you. Ask him for a content perspective on your life, and look to him for guidance and strength as you run life’s race with Jesus.