"Safest money investments"

Discovering Saint Paul's Secret of Being Content

I am not a pastor or a preacher; a minister or an evangelist.  I am not a theologian.  I am not even what you would consider "religious".

What I am is a Christian. Notice that I didn’t say “just a Christian” or “a mere Christian”, because I have come to realize what it means to be able to truly say, “I am a Christian” with sincerity.  It took me many years to achieve that understanding and it finally came with the discovery of Saint Paul’s “Secret of Happiness”.

“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 everything through Him who gives me strength.”  (Philippians 4:11-12  NIV)

I remember reading this verse written by Paul for the first time and wishing I knew what his "secret of being content" was.  In fact, I reviewed these lines repeatedly over several years, hoping that if I read them enough or memorized them, perhaps I would find the secret as well.  But it didn’t work that way.

A little background information (or my short-version testimony)…..

I have been a lost soul for a long time.  Even after becoming a born-again Christian, I have suffered through many ups and downs.  Like Saint Paul, I bear my own version of “a thorn in my flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  Recall that Paul pleaded with God to remove his thorn to no avail.  Well, He has not removed my thorn either.  (By, the way, this is about where any similarity between myself and Saint Paul ends, I am afraid.)

It really isn’t important what my ‘thorn in the flesh’ is.  I believe we all carry our own version around in one form or another.  Amazingly, after years of struggling against this impediment, I ultimately came to terms with mine during a morning walk along the beach.

Several years ago, I began a ritual of sorts where I would make semi-regular pilgrimages to the ocean.  This was not a major trek for me, as I was living in Southern California at the time, but something I cannot explain draws me to the sea.

I typically would drive alone to a favorite spot along the Pacific on early weekend mornings. Then, I would walk along the beach or sit in the sand and begin to drink in the wonderful sounds, smells and vistas with all of my senses. 

I guess this is a form of meditation, as it has always made me feel fully in God’s presence.  I am filled with a sense of his closeness and greatness by the sea.  Who else could create something as spectacular as this? 

This is where I find it easiest to talk to God.  The words seem to flow freely and my head is clear.  I feel at peace within myself and always wish that I could retain that feeling when I return to the “real world”.

It only makes sense to me now, in retrospect, that this is where I would find answers.

A while back, I was on one of my morning treks along the beach.  Walking along, something stopped me in my tracks.  It was like a scene from 'A Field of Dreams' where Kevin Costner hears a voice whisper, “build it and he will come”.  Well, almost like that....

In my case, it wasn’t a whisper.  It was more like a voice inside of my head, clear as anything I have ever heard, say these words:  “You are good.  I love you.  You will find it.”

For some time, I just stood still, suspended in a peaceful feeling.  I can recall the exact spot, the surf, the sky, the salty air, everything like it just happened.

Then it struck me – “You will find WHAT?”.

No, I’m not going to tell you that I immediately found the meaning of life or that I have since experienced total joy.  But I will tell you without a doubt that I know whose voice I heard.  And, a great deal of healing did begin for one troubled soul that morning on Salt Creek Beach.  But that was only the beginning.

It all came together unsuspectingly – yes, on another trip to the ocean.  This time I had situated myself on a spot overlooking the beach where I sat watching the early surfers and fishing boats out on the water.  From a distance, my eyes followed a woman walking along who seemed to be following her own ‘pilgrimage routine’.  As I watched her gaze out at the waves, then take a seat in the sand, I began to think of my earlier experience there and the words that I had heard:  “You are good. I love you.  You will find it.”

That’s when I finally got it!  I had figured out what He had meant when I heard the voice say, “You will find it.”   I had figured out Saint Paul’s “secret of happiness”!  No longer was I going to be held hostage by the thorn in my flesh.

Perhaps these verses will help you understand how I figured "it" out:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do and he will give you success." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:10)

One thing that I have found very helpful in reading the bible is to pray for wisdom and understanding of the words you're about to read.

I hope that you can have a similar experience to the one I described above and that you will find "it" for yourself!