HOPE ni GUILLER VALENCIA

SABI ni St. Paul sa Philippians 4:11-12, “I have learned to be CONTENT in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity.”

Remember, prior to conversion to Christianity of St. Paul, isa siyang educated and affluent and haven’t written this verse about contentment. However, nang isulat niya ito ay nakaranas na siya ng persecution sa kapwa niya mga Romano na katulad niya noon ay taga-usig ng mga Christian.

Aside from persecutions, naranasan niya ang mabilanggo, slashes, shipwrecked, at maging tent maker for a living. We knew then he was rich, powerful and influential. Subalit nang maranasan ni Apostol Pablo ang pagiging tunay na lingkod ng Panginoon Jesu-Cristo ay nagbago ang kanyang pananaw sa buhay.

For Paul, “In whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Sa ating panahon ay tunay na mahirap ang maging kontento sa buhay. Ang malakas na impluwensya ng social media, advertisements ng mga produkto; bahay, condo, kotse, pagkain, damit, scenic spots at iba pa. Dito namumuo ang lust of eyes, lust of smell and greediness. Idagdag pa natin ang lust of power, ang pagiging gahaman sa power o pwesto sa pamahalaan.

Pansinin natin ang mga politiko, once they tasted the power ay ayaw nang bitiwan ang power. Dito nga nagiging sakim at walang contentment sa position na naranasan kung kaya’t ang buong pamilya ay inilalagay sa position.

Political dynasties in other words. Sabi nila, ang power ay addictive tulad ng droga, once na natikman ay ayaw mo nang bitiwan.

Even rich people, although they have a lot of money still they want more kahit makasagasa ng kanilang kapwa, lack of contentment!

As a Christian, like St. Paul, masasabi ba natin na whatsoever state I am there will be a content! I hope not or tama na!

Being Christian, we can say as St. Paul said through his experiences and other fellow Christian, “For God shall supply all our needs according to His richness and glory and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. (Philipians 4:19-20). (giv777@myyahoo.com)