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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,\xa0whether living in plenty or in want.\xa0I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13)

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Some of us have had the experience over this pandemic time of being run ragged, laid off, fighting over too little technology and bandwidth, juggling work and school at home, just scraping by.\xa0 Others of us have seen a boost in our bottom line, enjoyed the freedom and flexibility of working from home, have discovered the perks of connecting with family far away through video chats, and have enjoyed the leisure of more down time.\xa0

In other words: some of us have lived in plenty, and some in want.\xa0 The pandemic has not impacted us all the same.\xa0 And that\u2019s true for our neighbours too.\xa0

Paul seems to think there\u2019s a common thread that runs through both of these experiences, however.\xa0

Some of us are absolutely anxious and harried when the storms rage, the future is uncertain, and the bank account low.\xa0 Others have an odd peace.\xa0 Some of us have peace when the bank account is full and life seems otherwise picture-perfect.\xa0 And others are absolutely anxious and harried.

What Paul has noticed is that the externals of our life no matter how bad or good, how hard or easy, how plentiful or wanting are not the final arbiter of our internal reality.\xa0 There is a secret to being content in any and every situation.\xa0 Though, it\u2019s not much of a secret.\xa0 The secret is Christ.\xa0

It\u2019s shortly before this that Paul pens his famous words: rejoice and entrust everything to God in prayer, and \u201cthe peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.\u201d

From that peace that passes understanding comes the discovery that we can face down any challenge of this life, of plenty or want, of joy or of sorrow, through him who gives us strength.\xa0 Because our life and security against the future are not ultimately determined by the stuff we have, the stuff we do, or even the stuff we can see.\xa0 Our hope for the future is in Christ.\xa0 Our peace is given and secured by him.\xa0 Not even a pandemic has shaken the reality of his loving work for us.\xa0 It remains firm.\xa0 Our place with God, secure.\xa0

So today, give thanks to God and ask for his peace.\xa0 It\u2019s strange, but it\u2019s enough.

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