Lesson citation #3: Philippians 4 : 11 (for)-13: “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:12 caught my attention this week, with its juxtaposition of opposites, and the lesson to “be content” in “whatsoever state” we find ourselves – i.e. whether abased (reduced to a low state, humbled, degraded – 1828) vs. abounding (having great plenty, being very prevalent, prevailing – 1828); whether full vs. hungry; or whether abounding vs. suffering in need.
One of the articles I read in which these citations in Philippians appear, is entitled “Adaptation,” by Annie M. Knott (CSS, 10/13/1917). She states, “. . . all growing things must adapt themselves in a very vital way to their surroundings.” And, she expounds on how the life of Moses is a wonderful example of how to adapt to what she calls the “law of growth,” based on Mrs. Eddy’s statement on page 520 of the Science and Health, that “growth is the eternal mandate [authoritative command, formal order] of Mind.” Moses certainly had to adapt in a big way from “the splendors of the Egyptian court,” to his life as a humble shepherd, and finally as the leader of the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt!
This week’s Lesson writer brought out so beautifully how the life of Joseph is also an outstanding example of perfect adaptability to the “law of growth,” clearly demonstrating the lesson of how to be content in “whatsoever state” one finds oneself – from being cast into the pit by his brethren, to being sold as a slave, unjustly ending up in prison, and eventually being elevated to the highest position aside from Pharaoh himself! Adapting to the “law of growth” demonstrates further that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom 8:28 – Lesson citation #11), which Joseph so clearly understood as evidenced by his declaration to his brethren years later: “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5 – Lesson citation #8).
Another article, entitled “Pressing Toward the Mark” (CSS, 12/27/1930, BY Nellie B. Mace), makes this observation: “God’s reflection, man, cannot be abased; nor does he need to know human triumphs. Extremes belong to human experience: the undisturbed serenity of spiritual perfection alone is real.” [“Serenity” – clearness, calmness, quietness, stillness, peace, evenness of temper (1828)].
Joseph experienced the extremes of abasement to abundance, yet always maintained his “undisturbed serenity of spiritual perfection” because of his ever clear perception of God’s unfailing care in “whatsoever state” he found himself. Thanks to this week’s Lesson writer for such a fulfilling “feast of Soul.” I am ever more at peace as I strive to “gain a little each day in the right direction” towards realizing the dominion and “boundless basis” of God’s immortal man!