The ancient Greek philosopher Plato observed that some talented and successful people, who were doing extremely well in life, would suddenly enter a period in which they would lose all appetite and interest in what they are doing. This malaise may afflict not only individuals, but churches as well. Sometimes, under these circumstances, we seek new and innovative strategies to motivate ourselves, but in todays reading from the Letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul suggests a completely different approach that defies the understanding and wisdom of the world.