Discovering Movement in an Ancient Letter Becoming Gentler Exploring Philippians 4:4-9
My current exploration of Philippians 4:4-9 came from a vulnerable place spiritual directors call a “liminal space.” During my season of “liminality,” I have spent a lot of time exploring words from the final chapter of Philippians, realizing that when Paul wrote this letter to his friends in Phillipi, he too was in a liminal season. To read more about this, including Monday’s post on Philippians 4:4 please refer to 08/24’s post - “Monday Moment | with Thanks and a Thought”, 08/27’s post - “Thursday Thought | When I Find Myself in a Liminal Space” and 08/31’s post - “Monday Moment - Discovering Movement in an Ancient Letter God Moves Me Along.”
Today’s verse touches a tender place in my soul.
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
The New Living Translation takes a slightly different twist: “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”
Commentary on this verse (Chronological Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition, which uses the NLT) says, “We are to be considerate (reasonable, fair minded, and charitable) to those outside our faith community, not just to fellow believers. This means we are not to seek revenge against those who treat us unfairly, nor are we to be overly vocal about our personal rights.”
I regularly read social media posts, and from them, I surmise not all believers in Jesus would agree with this commentary. Oh, my, so many of the messages I read are neither gentle nor considerate—not only to those outside the Christian faith community but to those within who have a different perspective but still feel called to Jesus.
I have sat under enough Christian teachers and preachers to realize not all have a “gentle” or “considerate” approach to presenting the Gospel. Many who are much more intelligent and knowledgeable than I would be quick to challenge a perspective that God the Father and God the Son, are “gentle” and “considerate.” Instead, they would provide lots of examples of an angry God and confrontational Jesus. I have no desire to argue that point, which is why I write words today from my own experience.
I am convinced each person has been uniquely, wonderfully, and intentionally designed for distinctive purposes, times, and cultures. I am also convinced that the process by which we are transformed spiritually varies and is slow.
I have discovered my God design responds to gentleness. Most of my younger years were filled with frustration because I was not raised in a gentle environment. My parents were wonderful people who did the very best they knew how to do, but their upbringing and the cultures in which they were raised did not celebrate gentleness. While I am beyond grateful for my Christian faith tradition and teaching, gentleness was often not taught nor modeled well within that environment either.
One reason I can relate to the Apostle Paul is that he didn’t start off with a gentle, considerate spirit. In fact, he was quite the opposite. Paul was a brilliant Jewish religious leader who systematically persecuted those who believed in and followed the ways of Jesus. In a dramatic encounter, Paul’s life turned around. He responded to the call from Jesus, and without a doubt, because of his willingness to be obedient, Pau became one of the most powerful voices in the story of the Christian Church.
Jesus calls us. Learning to walk in obedience to his call is a lifelong process.
While my story is much different, the same God who guided and transformed Paul, has faithfully, and gently wooed me. Slowly, steadily, my soul has and continues to change. In the past, I tried so hard to perform well, to be right, and to control outcomes because I sincerely felt that was my responsibility. Increasingly, though, I am learning to be still, accept God’s unconditional love, and trust that the Spirit’s gentle work transforms and brings wholeness to an obedient soul. No words would be adequate to express my gratitude to the God in whose image I was created and who with gentle patience guides, directs, and at times re-directs my paths.
Question to Consider: How do you respond or react to the Philippians 4:5 instruction to be gentle (or considerate) to all, and what factors in your story cause this reaction?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank you for calling me to Jesus,
And then rewriting my complicated story.
Please teach me how to walk in obedience to you.
Show me what steps I need to take
So that your gentle Spirit within me becomes evident to all.
Amen
Blessings on your journey into gentleness,
