Live victoriously and joyfully

 “Put Your Hand In The Hand (of the man who stilled the water),” is the first song I think of when reflecting on the early 1970s when I was a youth minister and America was in turmoil during the Vietnam War. The second song is “(Like a) Bridge Over Troubled Water (I will lay me down),” followed by “Lean On Me (when you’re not strong).”

I vividly remember speaking to a group of about 3,500 teens at Glorieta (NM) and the three young ladies accompanying me on the program performed a beautiful medley of the three songs. This reflection was triggered today by the turmoil resulting from a combination of COVID-19, the Marxist-led BLM protests, rioting, increasing violent crimes, job losses, business closings and the general cancel-culture atmosphere.

In the 70s, the popularity of those songs indicated how people were searching for answers and something firm in which to believe and hold onto. That’s when Bibles for teens became popular, such as “Reach Out,” which was illustrated and contained commentary from Youth For Christ International.

A recent Christianity Today article stated, “In 2019, YouVersion users read 35.6 billion chapters and listened to 5.6 billion chapters through its online and mobile Bible app. In all of this reading, Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:6 was the most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of the year: ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done (NLT).’”

Amazon also released data showing the most popular and most highlighted passage from the Bible on Kindle eBooks is Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (NIV).”

If you have frequented my writings, you are probably aware of legendary golfer Sam Snead’s quote: “Prayer works if you know how to putt.” This doesn’t belittle the power of prayer. However, to me, it does give credence to what my mission statement has been since the early 1970s: “To help people, discover, develop and use wisely their abilities, gifts and resources.” Snead was saying that whatever you do, practice and work to do it the best you can.

Likewise, Paul, writing from a Roman prison to the church he had established in the Macedonian city Philippi, encourages them in their everyday living. The subject of this letter is Christ and his availability to help them cope with life’s problems and live their best lives. Meanwhile, in chains for being a Christian, Paul was methodically witnessing to and teaching the Roman Emperor’s personal bodyguards.

Paul deeply loved the Philippians and throughout the letter is a theme of rejoicing and being thankful for life and the opportunities life presents. Repeatedly he uses phrases like, "Rejoice, and again I say rejoice, rejoice in your sufferings, rejoice in your difficulties.” He instructs them on how to live victoriously and joyfully whatever the difficulties might be – a great message for America and the world in 2020.

Paul encourages them to beware of false teachers and leaders, and to stick to the path he has shown them. He even singles out two sisters, calling them by name, and telling them to quit quarreling and to make up. He’s encouraging everyone to grab hold of life here on earth, to use time wisely, and to prepare for eternal life. He has previously emphasized one becomes a Christian through faith, and faith reveals itself in good works.

? 2020 by Carl Mays, National Speakers Hall of Fame member and author of over a dozen books, including A Strategy For Winning (foreword by Coach Lou Holtz). Email: [email protected].