Former Blackout Artist

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

As we continue our meditations this week on the fruit of the Spirit, let us now draw our attention to the Fruit of Peace.

The very first church that the apostle Paul planted in Europe during his second missionary journey was in the Macedonian city of Philippi, and the letter he writes to them is one of joy and peace. What I find particularly interesting is that he wrote this letter while in prison, a place where very few would find it possible to talk about such things. But not for Paul. And it’s near the end of his letter that Paul reveals to them his secret that enables him to have joy and peace amidst his current circumstances.

Paul writes, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 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” (Phi 4:11-13).

Paul’s secret is that he intimately knew the Source of his strength – Jesus Christ.

Let’s add some color to Paul’s letter. What if it was you being held in prison today, and only because of your professed faith in Jesus. The authorities have these trumped-up charges against you, which may end up keeping you behind bars for years, or perhaps even costing you your life. So one day I come visit you while you’re in prison, and I’m very concerned about what lies ahead for you. I begin asking you all sorts of important questions. “How can they do this? Do you have a lawyer? How are they treating you? Is there something I can do?” But with a smile and a wave of your hand, you shrug them all off and say to me, “That’s enough about me. So how are you doing? How is your family? Tell me – how are things going at church? I think about you all day and night!”

An hour later as I’m driving home, I think to myself, “How is it that he’s not losing his mind over all this? We spent 30 minutes talking, and all he wanted to talk about was me and how the church is doing!”

This was who Paul was. Despite his circumstances, he wasn’t driven by emotion. He was led by devotion to Jesus. And it gave him this peace that he talked about in his letter, this peace that passes all human understanding. A peace that, as your life is literally imploding, causes others to look at you and ask, “How are you at peace with everything despite all these circumstances? Are you not worried? Are you not depressed? How can you not be sad? How is it that you’re not angry with God?”

Who among us wouldn’t like to have and enjoy this fruit of Peace? We have the Source for it. He was led away, like a Lamb to the slaughter, not driven by emotion, but led by devotion to His Father.

His name is Jesus.