Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content – Philippians 4:11
“Grammy, I’m finished with my homework. I now know what living in the gap has to do with Philippians 4:11!” Junior excitedly declared. “Great. Tell me,” Grammy jovially requested. “It’s my not being bummed out over not always getting A’s. That I should be contented with C’s.” “Junior Sweetie, apostle Paul wasn’t talking about settling,” Grammy said with a smile. “Mom and Dad said the same thing, right before telling me they plan on lowering my weekly allowance to prevent me from being too content living in my gap,” Junior announced.
Apostle Paul’s message about contentment was one I, too, needed to learn to gain the right perspective on. It required me to understand that when written, the apostle Paul was in prison, which wasn’t where he desired to be. Therefore, through God’s strength, he was able to make peace, thereby to live in his gap. However, the apostle Paul’s revelation about being content was not an excuse to settle for less or to stop seeking to improve oneself.
The gap—that position between the reality of what is, and the reality hoped for—is a place I believe we all will encounter at one point. However, I’m learning that it’s a space where contentment and forward movement can happily coexist.