“Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace, of untroubled, undisturbed well-being, will be with you.” Paul said in his letter to the church at Philippi.

These words follow on the heels of his admonitions about not worrying and believers being careful about what they allow their minds to dwell on.

Paul seems concerned that the Church understands where and how to find peace and joy. In his time with them, he exemplified contentment regardless of circumstances and mastering his thoughts.

Paul encourages these folks he knows and loves to practice the ways he has demonstrated before them so that they will know contentment and the joy of having the Source of untroubled, undisturbed well-being right beside them.

Same for you and me. We get to experience this same relief – not by following Paul, but by recognizing how he lived his life, embracing the compassionate truth-telling he did, and then modeling our lives that way.

Today, let’s imagine knowing the culture around us so well that we can use it to instigate conversation about Jesus while not living as those who don’t follow Christ. Let’s figure out how we can be content in the middle of the stacks of unpaid bills and foreclosure or eviction looming. Let’s determine to make the choice to be okay with whatever circumstance we’re in and use it to point others to Jesus.

How do you think that will affect others?

Coffee, Bible, Journal.