Content Shush

Thursday, February 02, 2012 Posted by Sara

Shhhhh.

Be very quiet.

This week we are talking about contentment, so I need us to be very careful.

You see, when it comes to the topic of contentment my heart is admittedly a little – contentious.

Like one of my other DFF sisters shared this week, there is a tension between finding contentment with the present, and pressing on with hopeful anticipation for the future. As I comb through God’s word about the subject I linger here:

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

I linger and think to myself, “Paul was nuts.” This “contentment” is the same word God uses when he says He is “well pleased” with His Son. How could Paul delight Himself in all of the suffering he faced? How could he be content? I think Paul’s secret is here:

“…be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

It is God’s faithful presence through every trial and temptation that allows us to endure. Our contentment is not in the suffering or discomfort (I don’t think God is into the ‘grin and bear’ it approach). Our spirits can rest because He is with us. Sometimes that reassurance is all we have.

I will leave you with one of my favorite Beth Moore quotes. Being content today is rooted in having hope for tomorrow.

“When you feel that longing, know what it is. Don’t look for something on this Earth to heal it. It won’t heal. It is your heartstring tied to your heavenly home. Sit back in the ache of it. And know that every time you feel it, it is the echo of the reality that this is not all there is.” –Beth Moore, Patriachs