|
Dear Grace Church family,
Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Christ who strengthens me."
It is most tempting to believe the lie, "If I just get this, then I will be happy." This self-deception ignores the fact that when I do get what I want, it never delivers what it promised. Driven by the dream of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, we simply are not satisfied when we get the pot of gold. The real issue in contentment is who is going to determine what our lives are really going to be about. Will it be Christ or us? If it is us, then we will inevitably fall prey to comparison.
There will always be other folks who have more in quantity or quality of what we thirst after. This comparison leads to covetousness. Instead of loving my neighbor, I find myself loving their position in life or what they possess. This covetousness inevitably leads to competitiveness. Winning the competition proves that I am significant and valuable. It proves I'm a capable winner. In order to win the competition, it is tempting to compromise character. So, we inevitably use people to accomplish our goals. It is only when we allow Christ to determine our priorities and the stuff of life that we grow in Biblical contentment.
Biblical faith is trusting in Christ's character and promises rather than in our own definition of what is truly important in this life. Contentment is not found in having it all, rather it is found in using what he has given us for his glory and being satisfied with it. Job puts it this way in Job 1:21, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised." The songwriter put it well when he penned, "I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today."
Contentment does not come from an insatiable thirst for more. It comes from the realization of how much God has given me. Contentment does not come from getting more, more, and more. It comes from learning how to say from the depths of my being, "Thank you Lord for all you have done for me and given to me." May his contentment rule in our lives so that we may be able to do all things through Christ.
With you in prayer on this snowy day,
Cliffe and Sharon
|
