If I Got Jesus: Living for Christ AloneНамуна

Day 3, Paul … Even With Nothing Left

Phillipians 4:11

“Take the world away from me and I’ll be okay.”

Today we have a challenge for you that was given to us once a little while ago. If you can, find 25 slips of paper or notecards (or you can even do it on your phone using an excel spreadsheet). Line them up in 5 columns and 5 rows. In the first column, write down your top 5 favorite places.

We know it sounds weird, but trust us!! The next 5 should be your top 5 closest family members, then 5 closest friends, then 5 biggest beliefs, and then 5 favorite items.

Then, take 6 things away that you could live without. Then 5. Then 4. Then another 4. Then 3. Then 2. And then, as you stare at the last 2 - choose which one you absolutely have to have.

For us, 2 cards sat in front when we did this activity: “Faith” and “Mother”. And ultimately, we knew that we could face the loss of our Mother if we had Christ, but having a mother without Christ couldn’t save us.

Throughout the New Testament, Paul came to this conclusion as well. It wasn’t in the form of silly activities on values - but instead in real life. Paul lived through the loss of many things - and yet he chose to say that if he had Christ, he had enough. From what we know about Paul, he had lost friends, been imprisoned, and lived as a nomad. Yet, when he writes about his life in his letter to Philippi, he doesn’t complain. “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,” (4:12).

He has found contentment in all situations, but through Christ & Christ alone. In the next verse, Paul tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” His contentment isn’t of his own strength or accord. It would be incredibly hard for us to have to see any of our top 25 things we value go away - yet, Paul encourages us that it is possible to still live in contentment if the Lord helps us through it.

Suffering is never easy. After all, how can we (by our own strength) find joy in the midst of pain? Paul goes as far as to talk about this in Romans 8:18 where he declares, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." What do we make of this?

We believe that Paul's words are meant to encourage us that all present suffering pales in comparison to the home we have in heaven and the glory that we get to share in with Christ. It doesn't mean it's easy. Or fair. Or not worth taking the time to grieve.

It does, however, mean that we are never ever alone and that the glory of the Lord is with us wherever we go and lay our heads.

Ben Fuller’s song “If I Got Jesus” is such a special reminder to us all that if we have Jesus, like Paul, we have it all - through trial and tribulation (and triumph too!). As you go out today, we challenge you to wrestle through this scripture alongside “If I Got Jesus” and really reflect on whether you believe that Jesus is enough. Go in peace and may you become more like Jesus each day.