Read: Philippians 4:10-23
I know how to be brought low. (v. 12)
What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “brought low”? Is it rejection, loneliness, the sacrifice of ego and pride; or is it something else altogether? The apostle Paul, leading up to his familiar declaration, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (v. 13), answers that question with “plenty and hunger, abundance and need” (v. 12). In all things, he has learned to be brought low, to humble himself as Christ did.
Yet the solution that Paul proposes is not an individual one. He writes to Philippi, “It was kind of you to share my trouble” (v. 14). He thanks the church for their partnership in spreading the gospel (v. 15), the gifts they have given to his ministry (v. 18), and in turn promises God’s blessing for their generosity and prayer (v. 19).
The gospel of Christ, after all, is not a journey that is meant to be taken alone. Rather, the gospel is one that is to be lived out in communion with God but also with our neighbors. If you’ve lived a day, you know you need people. Even Jesus gathered around himself a community of trusted friends. So be brought low. At some point this will be required of each of us whether we want it or not. But when we are, it has always been God’s heart that we be brought low in community with others and find that even in the lowest of places, Christ himself has been there too.
As you pray, ask God to reveal how he is calling you into community with himself and others.
Co-authored by Rev. Jon Brown and Justin Kuiper.
Jon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, Michigan. Jon loves preaching and loves walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He loves to invite people to follow Jesus in community on mission. Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of four daughters.
Justin Kuiper is a student from Holland, Michigan, studying English literature at Hope College. His own writing explores the many intersections of faith, storytelling, and the created order.
