Isaiah 43: 1-3; Philippians 4: 10-13

A Communion Meditation

I find these words so refreshing, yet so challenging to me. You see, we are entering into the theme of stewardship. I know that makes some nervous. A few church members hear "stewardship," and begin to put up mental deflectors. "O no, here it comes- the church has its hand out for money again! I’ll just give what I did last year." They "tune out" until it’s over. I understand. I disagree. I know none of you are like them. This is our opportunity to check ourselves. We say we are Christian. What better time to measure our stewardship. Stewardship is tied to contentment! Are we as content as Paul? Yes? Our stewardship will increase!

Contentment eludes so many of us in our search for it. "I need more ___, then, I’ll be content." The list varies with each of us. How could Paul say what he did? "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."(12) He considered himself as a learner, a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. That was his secret. The good news - he did not keep it a secret. The closer he was to Christ the better. "I can do all things IN HIM who strengthens me." (13) Now, that IS close!

Paul came to that position, because of two things in his life: the Word of God, and Jesus Christ. For example, he lived out the words of Isaiah: I HAVE REDEEMED YOU-...CALLED YOU! YOU ARE MINE! He knew his redeemer was Jesus! He was in the grip of Christ by the Holy Spirit - and he loved it! With praises and prayers, Paul confirmed the love of Christ each day. What comfort and strength Paul drew upon. He KNEW the presence of the Lord. It was a good thing. He went through many a trial!

But Paul trusted his Lord to be with him, in him!: WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU... WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU WILL NOT BE SCORCHED... FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, YOUR SAVIOR, (2,3). The Word of God and Jesus Christ carried him through experiences of suffering- content because Christ was in him and he was in Christ!. You see, that is how our Lord works. His Word and His Spirit carry us through the stuff of life that crushes. Paul knew in Christ he had strength to endure!

Circumstances do not dictate our peace of mind, if we have the secret that Paul had: The Word and Christ gripping us. I CAN DO ALL THINGS IN HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME! What an example for us.

So many people you might know are racing around - even here in our small community, looking for contentment. They fill their agendas and their children’s with activities, because it is the thing to do. I’ve talked with some who find no contentment doing that, but they can’t stop! It hurts! Restless days and sleepless nights. Oh, to be able to say with Paul, "I too, can do all things IN HIM, who strengthens me!"

Is that your desire? This will not come like instant coffee. Each of us has to choose to go with Christ to find true contentment. I can only point the way. Here is a way to get started: FOCUS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE; THEN, YOU CAN KEEP YOUR OPTIONS SIMPLE; THEN, YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE - TODAY! Contentment in Christ makes us good stewards!

I

Focus on the most important thing in your life. No matter the circumstances you find yourself, pay attention to that one thing that keeps you going. Many stories come to us from the sinking of the Titanic. One woman, seated in a lifeboat ready to be rescued, suddenly remembered she left something valuable in her stateroom. She asked to return, and was given three minutes. The ship tilted dangerously, as she passed money on the casino floor and diamonds in her stateroom. She reached up over her bed and took three oranges and quickly returned. Incredible what she chose. Thirty minutes before she would have passed by a whole crate of oranges for one diamond. But Death had come on board. Values turned around. What was worthless, suddenly became priceless, and priceless articles became worthless. At that moment she preferred oranges. (Swindoll)

Epaphroditus arrived with the gift from the Philippians. For Paul the gift did not matter. His friends remembered him. He counted his friends greater gifts than what they sent! "I rejoiced that you have revived your concern for me!" Paul knew the difference and loved them! We all can learn that. A sailor risked his own life to save a boy from drowning. When the boy was returned to his mother, she complained, "You know, he had a cap when he fell into the water." Focus on the most important thing in your life and mine - Oh the joy of having Christ in me - in you...and to know we are IN HIM! We can live so much more contented!

II

Keep your options simple. If we focus on Christ, we can be content....and confident! We look at the people around us who are negative, pessimistic, defeated, with no hope for happy lives. We do not have to be this way. We can be confident! This is a by-product of being IN HIM. "Why are you so confident and optimistic about life?" people would ask Phillips Brooks. "Because I am a Christian." We have already been chosen. Now, each day, we choose to follow Him through the decisions facing us. Easy for me to say, right? No, I have to do the same thing. I choose each day. It becomes easy when I keep in mind how much Christ intertwines His life in mine, and I in His.

IN HIM we discover He remains constant, much like our body temperature. If you are not running a fever, it is 98.6 degrees F. Summer heat does not change our temperature. It remains the same. We are no hotter than usual - we just feel warmer. In the coldest weather we are as warm as ever. So, IN HIM, we can be sure to make good choices.

IN HIM, we discover He is like an anchor that holds against any current that we find in the world. In New York the Welland River empties into the Niagara River that leads to the famous Falls. The water at this point is still calm and boaters can navigate it well. But danger lurks. A sign is posted on a bridge that can be read by all those in the water. It asks only two questions: Do you have an anchor? Do you know how to use it? Good questions for us. Thank God! IN HIM He is like an anchor that holds us securely!

Who is the most important person in your life - Christ or yourself? True contentment comes when He is in us and we are IN HIM. Then we make better choices for living! And that is good stewardship. So,...

III

Make the most of what you have - today! If you do, then you will find God can make you an even better steward of His life in you! Remember, circumstances will change. All that we have can be gone. But this place is not our permanent home. The promise of heaven awaits! So, until that moment, we can use what we have IN HIM to help build His Kingdom! Stewardship at its best. Content IN HIM - Jesus Christ - we can make a difference with our lives and our money!

There is something to the old saying, "If you don’t use it, you will lose it!" Maybe you feel that your circumstances keep you from using your gifts for our Lord. "As soon as I get out of the mess I am in, then, Lord, I’ll do my part in this church." Every one of us has at least one special gift or talent. God expects you to use His gift to you for His glory through places like this church. I don’t think Paul was clever enough to design prison for himself. If Paul had his way, he might have missed the blessings. Because Christ was in Paul, he put his gifts to work where he was- he knew IN HIM, he could do all things! Instead of a closed door (prison), Paul walked right into the administrative and military enterprise of Rome! What seems to be limits in our lives can be used by God to spread the greatest story ever told! That means us...where we are with what we have! IN HIM we can make a difference. Now, that’s great stewardship!

Question: do your circumstances dictate your faith in Christ? Only a fair-weather believer? Look at the Table! Our eyes are drawn inevitably to the bread and cup. We recall the words of our Lord: "Do this in remembrance of Me." When we take those two symbols of life, we "proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." What wonderful words to move us through the trials we face! Do not hold onto the experience, but hold onto Him. You will find it is He who has you!

Consider the bread in your hand before taking it. Is He alive in you? Is He your bread of life for the day and for eternity? Consider the cup in your hand before taking it. Are you grateful for the blood of Christ washing your sins and the guilt of your sins away from you? Will you once more commit to Him...to do all things in His strength and love?

Good questions for any day. For now...for this moment...they call us to come to Him as we gather at the Table...content to live in Him...until He comes again!