WORD, DEED & SPIRIT A l T i z on
Paul’s Secret
in need I grumble, and in plenty I get uncomfortable. It seems that I have learned, unlike Paul, to be discontent in all things! The word that pins me down as I In his old age, Paul told the Christians wrestle with Paul’s contentment is joy. in Philippi that he had “learned to be Although the word does not appear in content whatever the circumstances,” this passage, Philippians has been called that he had “learned the secret of being Paul’s epistle of joy. As such, I interpret filled and going hungry, both of having “the secret” in these verses as the secret abundance and suffering need” (Phil. of joy — that which buoyed Paul amidst 4:11-12). I’ve been pondering these the ups and downs of life’s unpredictwords in the last few months as my able waves and that which enabled him family and I have been going through a to be content whether he had food or rough financial stretch.Who hasn’t, right? not, abundance or not. So, I ask, “Could The economic crisis seems to have hit joy hold the key in getting people everyone and everything one way or through today’s economic crisis?” As the another. Churches, organizations, com- power of God’s Word invites me to perpanies, and educational institutions have sonal reflection, I also ask Paul, “How all had to tighten up their budgets, cut did you learn the secret of this thing called joy, which leads to contentment?” programs, and/or cut staff. The impulse is to whine about it. With inane talk show hosts leading the way, we grumble away: “What’s wrong with this country? ‘W’ did it to us. Obama’s not doing enough, fast enough, or he’s not doing it right. Look at what those greedy, careless lending institutions have done to us.” And as I have personally felt the crisis, I have joined in the cacophony: “It’s so From his place of captivity (he was hard to make ends meet. Forget about saving for a rainy day. Forget about that family under house arrest when he wrote this vacation. It’s just not fair. Blah, blah, blah.” letter), I imagine him responding, “I Clearly I have not learned the secret of stopped trying to figure it out; I decidbeing content in need (if these com- ed to just do it. I found that joy comes by simply resolving to be joyful and plaints constitute real “needs” at all). But I don’t think I have learned the then relaxing in the presence of God, secret of being content in plenty either. trusting God to provide, and believing My kingdom sensibilities compel me that Christ is truly sufficient.” “So much easier said than done, to keep in check the material wealth that I possess — for starters, a fully fur- Paul!” “Indeed. But if I — chief among nished house, stocked cupboards, two cars, an education, job security, and sinners, who has shown more intensity, health insurance, not to mention elec- drivenness, and hotheadedness than tricity, running water, heat for winter, you all — can learn to trust God to the and air conditioning for summer. In point of experiencing joy amidst any global perspective, I join the ranks of and all circumstances, anybody can. “And furthermore, hope. Along with the rich, and that makes me nervous. So
It seems that I have
learned, unlike Paul, to be discontent in all things!
PRISM 2010
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trust, I cling to the bright and glorious hope that is found in Jesus Christ.” I imagine Paul at this point looking up and fixing his gaze upon a reality that can only be seen with the eyes of faith — a reality in which the riches of this world pale in comparison, in which God reigns in peace and justice, where tears and mourning and death are no more. “You see that, Al?” says Paul, pointing to the heavens beyond the ceiling of his captivity. “In light of the secure and beautiful hope that we have in Christ, what need do you have that you cannot bear? And what riches do you possess that can possibly hold your attention?” Trust and hope then unlock the secret of joy. But Paul is not done yet. In our imaginary conversation, he adds, “And compassion. I have found that living for others is also a key to joy. So let your gifts, skills, education, prestige, material wealth, and whatever else you have serve the lost and the poor in the world. This is the meaning of giving everything away, which completes joy.” How else can I respond, but with silence in the presence of the apostle, an exemplar of compassion as he forsook everything, even his own freedom, for the sake of others? Indeed selfless, sacrificial compassion puts the “economic crisis” in perspective.Who is truly hurting in this crisis? Who is truly hungry? Who is without heat; worse, without shelter? Who is sick without health insurance? Who is without employment? Who is despairing and without hope? To the extent that I can trust in God, hope in Christ, and show compassion to the poor, joy is within my grasp. n Al Tizon is director of ESA’s Word & Deed Network and assistant professor of holistic ministry at Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.