Peace that surpasses understanding

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 NKJV

During the night I was so tired, distressed and frustrated with my waking (and of course crying) baby, that I curled up in a ball and started speaking in tongues! Instant peace set in. It reminded me of being in labour with my fourth baby. No drugs, but plenty of speaking in tongues! I realised that this heavenly language is what flows out of me when I am at the end of my own strength; when my full dependence is on God. And it's always accompanied by peace that surpasses understanding!

Laying hold of that for which Jesus laid hold of me

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV

I was asked earlier this week how I came out of ministry burnout and the first thing that came to mind was that we began remembering the prophecies and dreams that we'd had about ministry. In a sense, forgetting what's behind and reaching toward the things ahead is what brought back the hope and the motivation to go on! I am determined to press on and lay hold of that for which Jesus' laid hold of me! What's that? In one word, HOPE!

Losing all things for Jesus?

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection... Philippians 3:7-10 NKJV

I have wrestled with this passage all week. I was trying to compare suffering the constant loss of people in my life to Paul suffering the loss of his social standing as a zealous, righteous Pharisee or his loss of physical freedom. They didn't compare very well! Paul's talking about things that seem important before you know Christ but lose their significance once He fills that place. I don't think he piled relationships into his use of "all things". Despite being in jail Paul hadn't lost his relationships - the existence of this and all his other letters proves that! On the contrary, gaining Christ brings new light on relationships - they are no longer grabbed at out of need for self worth or fulfillment but are treasured as glimpses of God's image on earth! Relationships are never really lost, just change in appearance!

Having no confidence in the flesh

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3 NKJV

This is such a freeing concept if we can get our heads around it. The Complete Jewish Bible translates this phrase as having no confidence in human qualifications. We spend a large part of our lives becoming qualified to do things, not simply to be equipped, but largely because other people are competing for the same positions. There's no limit to positions in God's economy. Being equipped is great, but if we see opportunities to reflect God's glory without worrying that we're good enough, imagine how much of God would be reflected!!