In the State I Am

J.J. Stark

February 2016

Week 5

IGNITE Class 10

Inductive Bible Study (IBS)

In the State I Am

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” – Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

I love Paul’s writings, and how the Lord used him not just as a direct influence during that time period, but also today – to me!!  It is sad to see our world, particularly the United States, has come to live in a very discontent mindset – always having to have the newest, biggest, and baddest piece of technology, the best car, the biggest house, coolest clothing, and even popularity and social status.  Not that any of this is new, it is part of our sinful nature after the Fall, but it seems that in recent years it has become even more prevalent.  I will be the first to admit that I can get very caught up in material things – I’d love to have a big ¾ or 1-ton Dodge Ram pickup truck with a Cummins engine, or a really good roping horse, or a new pair of cowboy boots…any of those would be amazing, I’m not going to lie!  But the message that Paul is relaying is that those are not things I need; as much as my selfish nature hates to admit it, I can live without those things – they are wants.  Psalms 23:1 states very clearly the only thing I really need – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  Why do I need to worry, even about my basic bodily needs?  The Lord is everything!! 

As I initially read the Philippians 4:11, the phrase “in whatever state I am” caught my attention, and the first thing that came to mind was the United States.  I got to thinking about it, and with the recent commissioning of my IGNITE class, it hit me that I’m not only going back to the United States, but back to my very home state!!  Talk about a literal translation of the verse.  This is a huge lesson for me, because there was a time I was almost to the point of rejection at the thought of being stationed in Browning.  I wasn’t content with it, I wanted to get out and see the world!  Well the Lord sure changed that in a hurry.  He has really been challenging and convicting me in my commitment to IGNITE: He asked me, “When you said you were going to follow Me, did you really mean the ends of the earth?” Apparently I didn’t include Browning, Montana, when I said that.  I am at genuine piece now, and am getting really excited to see what the Lord has in store!  In the meantime, however, I need to not be so focused on getting ready for Browning that I miss out on my time here in Guatemala.  “In whatever state (or country) I am in, I am content” because the Jesus Christ is my All in All.

Application:  Today I will not wear my watch, so that I will not be rushing through the day and miss opportunities to continue building relationships with the people around me, and to help prevent me possibly quenching the Holy Spirit’s leading in a situation.