The old apostle’s eyes, already dimmed by the advancement of age, further strained in the low light of his prison cell. Epaphroditus had just delivered the news that the Philippian church had sent him a financial blessing and a greeting, having heard of his confinement. He had wondered if they had forgotten him, but his heart was refreshed to know that they still remembered how he had brought them the light of truth when they were lost in a lie.
Somehow, in the wake of their encouragement, the issue of his confinement was made more bearable. The stink, the rats, and the poor treatment from the overseers was enough to drain one’s resolve, but Paul was determined to make his stand here. Calling one of his companions named Timothy over with some papyrus and a writing utensil, Paul began to dictate his letter to the faithful believers at Phillipi.
He prayed for them, he spoke of his joy, he spoke of his desire to be with the Lord. Undoubtedly, the abuse that had been dealt to him by his detractors left his body in continuous discomfort, and he longed for the day when the pain would all end. Then, as he begins to conclude this letter, he pauses to ruminate on his past experiences. It is there that he included this beautiful observation, which I will paraphrase here.
“It has brought me great joy that, here at the end of my journey, you have thought to take care of me, as you have desired to do in the past, but did not have the means. I do not speak of my own needs. No, I have learned to be satisfied and content, no matter what my circumstances may be. I know what it means to be humbled, and to be exalted. In all things, our Lord has taught me to be filled with blessing, and how to hunger. He has taught me how to have plenty, and how to live with great needs. Because of God’s great strength, I can do anything.”
I can almost see the old Apostle as he loses himself in memories of past seasons of life. Somewhere along the way he had learned a most valuable lesson. No matter what this season of life represents, I must remember that it too, shall pass. Like Joseph of old, today it may be the pit, but tomorrow it will be Potiphar’s house. I will leave the pit better than I found it and be better prepared to serve in the next place.
From the treachery of Potiphar’s household to the deepest prison in Egypt, I will live with integrity and honor. Today the prison, tomorrow the palace. These seasons will not define me, rather they will serve me as I serve my God. No season is forever. I will always remember, this too, shall pass.
Perhaps Paul could look at his hands and see the scars from previous abuse? He could remember when the pain was fresh and it was all he could dwell on in the moment, but he had eventually recovered. Some of those wounds had been delivered by people he had once called “friend”. Those hurt the most, but the pain had not come to stay, it came to pass. Paul could look back on his life and, for every scar, count a hundred victories. He could truly say that God had remained faithful in spite of every disappointment.
In my own experience, I can tell you that seasons come and go for every man or woman. Change remains the solitary constant in life outside of God himself. There are seasons of harvest, and seasons of drought. Seasons of joy, and seasons of mourning. Seasons of comfort, and seasons of toil and difficulty. Some seasons last longer than others, but they all eventually pass. That is the way God designed it. He meant for us to learn from each one.
Some years ago, I was struggling to find a reason for some pain in my life. It was then that I came to the rather simple, yet true, realization that life must be lived looking forward, but it may only be understood by looking back to where I have been. While I am in the middle of the struggle, I often cannot see the reason for it, but when it is finished, I may better understand the WHY for the WHAT I have been through.
Some time ago, I was listening to an interview with a retired professional athlete. In the course of the conversation, he made a statement that stuck with me. He said, “In my career, I learned far more from my defeats than I ever did my victories. When I won, I was quick to gloss over my mistakes because, at the end of the day, I still won. But, when I lost, I would examine everything looking for a cause, and a way to improve.”
Paul certainly knew the value of a season of losses, and wins. His words can serve as an admonition to us all. “There will be times of trial. Just trust HIM! There will be times of plenty. Don’t forget that you still need to trust HIM! When it does not make sense, trust HIM! When they said the loved you, but they betrayed you, trust HIM. When there is so much month left to be lived, but the money is gone, trust HIM! When the report comes back, and it is not what you hoped for, trust HIM! This too, shall pass! This is not the moment where God shows Himself to be untrustworthy, this is the moment where He proves Himself to be more than ENOUGH!”
Charlie Chaplin once said, “Nothing lasts forever in this wicked world, not even your troubles.” I try not to hold onto anything as if it is too precious to lose, except my Jesus. I am trying to look for the lesson in every season. It does not always seem possible, but I think it important to try. Perhaps you find yourself in a moment of great struggle? I want to be a voice that reminds you, this too, shall pass! Perhaps you stand atop the world today, needing nothing. God wants you to remember, you still need to look to Him even now, because, this too, shall pass. Hold to His steady hand. Life itself is but a vapor, and it too, shall pass. However, when the final page is turned, we may yet experience the greatest joy of all…a land where joys never pass! Hang in there, we are almost home!
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