When you think of Thanksgiving, what do you think of? Outside of food and pilgrims, I suspect that two of the most common associations with Thanksgiving are football and shopping. Football because (to the excitement of some and the chagrin of others!) it is on TV all day, and shopping because Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas shopping season with Black Friday deals. Believe it or not, both of these things are connected to the next commonly-quoted Bible verse that I want to examine in its context: Philippians 4:13.
The connection to football is that many years ago, Tim Tebow had this Bible verse on his “eye black” while quarterbacking the Florida Gators. Because it was on his face, this Bible reference was actually on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Seeing this Bible verse on a Christian athlete’s gameday attire is not all that surprising in light of the way that the verse is often quoted and used by Christians. The verse reads thus: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (ESV). Christians will often invoke it when they are facing a particular challenge or circumstance such as a sporting event, an exam, or some big initiative they are undertaking. It is often used as a promise of God’s favor in whatever we do, as if quoting this verse assures us of winning the game, doing well on the exam, or achieving the thing that we have planned — I can do this because Jesus is giving me the strength. No one believes the “all things” really refers to all things (I have never seen someone use this to say that they can fly!), but the things that people usually focus on with this verse are the desires or goals that we have, which often are good and godly.
When we look at the verse in its context, however, we see the “all things” in a different light, and I think that the verse becomes even more powerful. The Apostle Paul wrote these words while he was in sitting in prison, reflecting on how he had learned to be content in all circumstances, whether in plenty or in want: “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13, ESV). The challenge that Paul is facing is the challenge of being content even in the midst of suffering, of not having what he wants (or maybe even would seem to need). This is a verse that we can and should also look to when we are struggling with contentment or even with suffering, because we need to be reminded that if we have Christ, we have all we need. Therefore, we can be content even when things do not seem to be working in our favor.
A player in one of the many football games on Thanksgiving Day may or may not refer to this verse, but I think this verse is more applicable to those of us sitting around on Thanksgiving thinking about all the things that we want to buy despite having just eaten a meal and having all our necessities met.
Since I brought up Tim Tebow’s name in the misuse of the verse, I think it is good to circle back to see that he has an understanding of the verse in its context. When asked about the verse while he was playing college football, this is what he said: “It’s [saying] I can be content with anything. When you’re a Christian, you can [be content] because God has put you where you are. That’s really a different view…. I know that I have Christ in me, so I can do whatever He wants me to do, and that’s how I approach everything” (see http://bpnews.net/31139/tim-tebow-superman-of-faith). If you follow the story of Mr. Tebow’s life, you will learn that he has lived with success but also challenges; he was part of winning teams in college football and a first-round draft pick, but he has been cut by numerous NFL teams and unable to fulfill his dream of a long and successful professional football career. He was unapologetic about his Christian faith in the time of success, but he has also spoken out about his faith in the midst of the challenges that he has faced, noting how life circumstances can challenge his faith, but that he has seen God in the midst of those challenges (as explained in his book, Unshaken). It is easy to speak about God’s goodness to us when things are going well, but to do so when things aren’t going well is difficult, and my respect for Mr. Tebow has grown through the years in light of that. Because this verse has meant so much to him, it seems that he has been able to live it out in his context. May that be an encouragement to us as well!
So, here’s the bottom line: because of what Jesus has done for us, we can be content in times of prosperity (when we are tempted to turn away) and content in times of trial (when we are tempted to throw in the towel). In many ways, that is more impressive than any activity or thing we do. May this verse remind us of this important truth.
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