I am full

Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. – Philippians 4v18


Here we find Paul, a prisoner of the greatest power on the face of the earth, under house arrest in a rented home, hundreds of miles from home, family, and friends. A pretty miserable lot wouldn’t you say? Surely, if anyone had a right to gripe it was him.

His contentment was real and palpable. If contentment is indeed being bound by what we already have, then Paul could surely say, ‘I am full.’ In his mind he had everything, even though he had nothing.

The financial gift sent by the Philippians was a great blessing to Paul, obviously, not because of the size of the gift, but because they had sent it. Their gift was a sacrifice acceptable to God. His joy was for them because they were able to share in whatever Paul saw accomplished in Rome.

What a joy to be able to step back and say, ‘I am full.’ For me that is easy to say when we have sixty children at Kids Klub Kamp or sixty plus people at a carol service. Then I can sit back and enjoy the fullness of the work where God has put us. I also want Paul’s ability to say, ‘I am full’ when things are not going so well and when the ministry struggles.

May I have the wisdom to choose ‘I am full’ over ‘poor little me.’