One Cool Cat

While getting ready to come to the office this morning I could hear the sound of my children playing with each other.  As I listened to see what was going on I could hear them reading one of their favorite books to each other, Pete the Cat.  Pete the Cat is a book about a cat named Pete who finds many different ways to get his new “white” shoes dirty.  He turns them red by stepping on some strawberries and turns them blue by stepping into some blueberries, and so on and so on.  Every time Pete’s shoes turn different colors the author ask if Pete gets mad or sad about his brand new predicament.  The answer is always “Goodness No”, yet Pete’s mishap makes him break out into songs like this; “I like my red shoes, I like my red shoes, I like my red shoes.”  How could you not think that Pete is one cool cat? (Laughing uncontrollably as I type this)

Thinking about the story, and singing the amazing songs in my head on the way to the office this morning caused me to reflect on scripture.  The apostle Paul states his stance on being content in Philippians 4:11-13, “¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹²I 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. ¹³I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”   Paul is letting us know that he has learned how to be a “cool cat!”  I wonder just how long it took Paul to develop this attitude, how long he had to endure before he realized that he could do ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST.

Many times we use Philippians 4:13 to justify something that we are doing and claim that we can do everything in Him.  In looking at this in the proper context what we find is that through Christ I can endure all things because Christ Himself has endured all things.  So no matter if I’m the richest man on the planet or living pay check to pay check, I can be content in all things that I do because I know that Christ is enduring these moments with me.  If I’m having fun with my kids or standing at the side of a grave of a love one, I CAN DO ALL THINGS.   I can laugh, I can love, I can suffer, and I can mourn, I CAN DO ALL THIINGS.  And in doing all these things I find myself to be content, knowing that my God is with me.  

So I say sing on Pete.  If silly cat can sing and be content with everything that happened to him, what in the world is my problem?  Try doing this to day as you find yourself enduring a situation you don’t want to.  Breakout into a silly song and smile knowing that you CAN DO ALL THINGS THOURGH CHRIST!  “I like my blue shoes, I like my blue shoes, I like my blue shoes.”  Even though you know good and well those shoes are suppose to be white!!!!!!

Blessing,

Pastor Jason