Beyond Success

Last year (in 2023), Fiji defeated the Wallabies for the first time in sixty-nine years. Crucial to their preparation was the Bible verse, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

In the past it’s been on the front of their jerseys. It might be a scary verse to be confronted with as you face these massive men with their huge arms and legs pumping as they streak downfield to score try after try.

‘I can do all things’—they pretty much look like they can too. I’d love to see them win the World Cup.

But is that verse really about sporting success? Is it about being able to tackle harder, kick further, run faster, or score more tries than the opposition?

The clue is really in the verse before, ‘I have learnt the secret of being content in every situation’. The strength that is spoken of here is the strength that the Lord Jesus Christ gives to be content in every situation.

Philippians 4:12,13 are about being satisfied in life no matter what. So it doesn’t matter if you come first or last, or don’t even make selection. It’s about being content in Christ with what God has given. —Rev. Greg Webster

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