This letter is not a "Paul-yanna" denial of the real difficulty of the circumstances Paul faced. None of that. Paul is honest about the distress he faces. But in the midst of that difficulty, there came a gift from the folks in Philippi. This epistle is a "Thank you" note, just like the ones your Mama taught you to write when you receive a gift. It's a letter of thanks for the love, concern, support which come to Paul from Philippi.
Holy hilarity comes from sharing the love, friendship and encouragement of the Body of Christ.
Paul uses this word, hilarotes, in the Corinthian letter when he writes, "God loves a cheerful giver," literally, "God loves a hilarious giver." With the budget going to the Board tomorrow night and wheels cranking up for the Stewardship Crusade, I expected this to be a great place to talk about "hilarious giving." I could see myself warming up for a strong pitch on the joy of giving, but that will have to come later, because in this passage Paul is not talking about the joy of giving, but the joy which comes from receiving. Some Christians have a much harder time receiving than giving but holy hilarity comes from receiving the gift of friendship, laughter, care, encouragement from someone else.
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As I said, this was a heavy week. But then Friday I received a surprising piece of mail from a leader in this church which was terribly funny and totally inappropriate for Sunday morning. It was a hoot. I laughed out loud. It was a great gift of joy and encouragement. Holy hilarity comes from sharing the gifts of love and friendship with each other.
Finally, Paul comes to this grand conclusion in
verse 11.
"I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
The J. B. Phillips translation has great feeling for the emotion of Paul's letters. Listen to the way he translated that:
"I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous...I have learned the secret of facing plenty or poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me."
Paul said he had already learned all of that. I know that I'd like to. Wouldn't you? Wouldn't you like to experience the hilarity of the soul which thrives within us in any circumstances?
I thought this week about
Psalm 51, where the psalmist prays, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation." I don't know a single healthy Christian who doesn't have days when they pray that prayer. Anyone who says they never feel like that is either lying to themselves or lying to you. We all need that prayer now and then. And, who knows? Perhaps some of us need it today.
