This afternoon, as I was preparing to lead worship tomorrow morning, I was drawn once again to a current favorite song. It is called “It Is Well”, and it leads right into singing “It Is Well with My Soul” – another favorite.

While playing and singing these two songs, I was reminded of a devotional which was given during a worship time on Friday. The pastor shared from Philippians 1:12-18. Paul is writing from prison, and sharing with the church in Philippi that his chains are serving to advance the Kingdom of God, and he is rejoicing in that fact.

During the devotional, our attention was drawn to one phrase from verse 18 in particular:

“What does it matter?”

So what if he is in prison? So what if some people are preaching Christ out of false motives? The Gospel is being preached!

My “so whats” could be a variety of things. So what if people disagree with me? So what if my visa isn’t extended? So what if the life I’ve built here has to change/end in six months? So what if the other things I’m praying for don’t happen in the way or timing I want them to happen (or at all!)?

What does it matter? If God is being glorified in my life, if His Kingdom is being established and advanced in my present circumstances, that is what matters.

What would your “so what” be? What are the circumstances in your life you wish were different? Can you say along with Paul, “what does it matter?”

I will admit, there are days I struggle to answer that question with “yes.” Often, it feels like it matters an awful lot what the answers are for all of my “so whats.”.

And then I sing, “It Is Well with My Soul” or “It Is Well,” and I’m reminded again of the truth of these words:

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll,  whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul!”