Content in the Long Term
The first is short term contentment, which usually means a time when all is right with our world. Everyone is healthy, happy, has enough and there are no crises. This level is largely defined by the state of things around us. Be sure to take a photo because, if we ever get these times, they do not last long.
The second is long term contentment. It’s Big Picture contentment, Viewing the Entire Timeline contentment, Looking Toward Heaven contentment.
We can be content in the here and now because all of THIS will be GONE and what is COMING is BETTER.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Paul, in prison, was content because his heart was renewed daily. We MUST do the same. Renew your heart through Bible reading, worship, and face time with other believers.
Paul was content because he knew the difficult times were temporary. We MUST remember that ours are, too. Hang in there! This too shall pass!
Paul was content because he knew that trials here meant glory there. All of the crap we deal with here WILL BE WORTH IT there. Though our problems certainly do not look or feel “light and momentary,” they do have purpose in furthering our relationship with Jesus and advancing His Kingdom.
Long term contentment is straight from the Throne of God. It’s internal and eternal. It’s what we see, not with the eyes in our heads, but with the eyes of our hearts.
Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Content Shush
Contentment in House #1
I don’t care whether it’s a sea-side, mountain-side, or old-town view. I don’t care whether it’s a beach villa, a two-hundred year old farmhouse, or a high-rise condo. I love me some House Hunters International! My schedule doesn’t permit me to watch much television these days, but I catch it when I can. I was watching it with my mom the other day, marveling at some gorgeous home – in Spain, I think. Noting that the couple’s budget was $600,000, I turned to mom for commentary:
Why do you think “Thou shalt not covet” made the top ten right up there with “Thou shall not kill”? ‘Cause I think that’s a little over-kill. (No pun intended.)
She laughed. And I was just kidding, anyway. A little.
Humorous ponderings have a funny way of becoming sincere ponderings. So, yep, I thought about it some and here’s what I came up with. I think those commandments are meant to help us turn away from the things of death and focus on the things of life.
And how does that work with coveting? Perhaps, if we continue to believe that what we don’t yet have is what is best for us, we ignore what we already have – the Light of Life, Jesus.
And Jesus is always with us.
Perhaps if we don’t see Him, it is because we are too focused on the things that can take life away instead of focusing on the One who builds life up within us. Perhaps if we covet what others have, we dismiss what we have already been given.
So the moral of this funny pondering is, we don’t need to pine after Houses #2 or #3…
We need look no further than the house which has already been freely given to us. It has everything on our “wish list”…
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4
A Contentment Conundrum
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I want to be content with what I have.
I also want to move past where I am right now and, quite frankly, experience some of the finer things in life. I want to be grateful for what I’ve been given, but there’s quite a bit of it that could definitely use an upgrade. Is my desire for “better” contrary to being content? I asked Jesus, and He responded in a parable about some pretty interesting people…
Meet Fred. He’s on the fast-track. He’s never met a promotion he couldn’t conquer and if there is stuff to be had, he’s got it. For Fred, it’s always about what’s new, what’s now and and what’s next. If you’ve got it, he wants the upgraded model. If you need it, he’s no help at all.
Then there’s Wilma. She’s a whiner. If she has it, she hates it. If she wants it, she sees no way of getting it. She has enough to share with others, but keeps a tight grip on every dime. She’s never satisfied and she makes sure everybody knows it.
Now, meet Greg (nope, not Barney!). He’s quite a groovy guy. If he’s got it, he’s grateful, and if he doesn’t have it, he doesn’t go crazy pursuing it. He works hard to excel, but exceling is not what makes him tick. He appreciates having enough to meet his needs and both his heart and hand are open wide, always ready to give.
Greg gets it.
While Fast-track Fred and Whiney Wilma sink beneath consumption and complaints, he’s living a balanced life, propelled by the power of contentment. I love that his heart and hand are open—it’s not only the perfect posture for giving, but it positions him to also receive. He understands that contentment is not synonymous with settling, and the key to maintaining balance is saying thanks. I’m looking for Grateful Greg because he and I definitely need to hang out. If you know him (or if you are him), we need to connect. I want what Greg’s got, and I won’t be content until I have it.
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
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CONtent Won't Make One ConTENT
In the past, when feeling less than conTENT, I would fill my head with CONtent: if I just read THIS verse. If I just read THAT book. If I journal. If I memorize scripture. If I . . . If I . . . If I . . . (So that's the spiritual way I went about it - clogging my brain, although not necessarily my heart/actions, with biblical CONtent.)
Or, I would fall into the trap of, "If I just had THIS item. If I just had THAT product. My life would be easier. I would be conTENT."
Never works. Over-spiritualizing and gathering more material items just won't do it. The answer isn't more. But rather, less.
I honestly believe that being conTENT comes with giving up CONtent. Letting THIS go. Giving THAT away. Refusing to be a part of chaos. Making choices that simplify the noise that clamors for our attention. A commitment to making what we can less complicated. It's saying, "I'd love to have/do/own THAT, but I will make what I actually have/do/own work."
Next week we will be welcoming a family of refugees from Pakistan to our local community. They will be coming with all their belongings. One backpack each. The mother and 5-year old son of the family were murdered a year and a half ago because of their faith. They do not speak English. More refugees are on their way. We have been helping to prepare a home for them, plan a welcome party, and surround them with love.
You know that cliche, "Don't compare yourself to others?"
Sorry, this time I am. 'Cause I can always use a lesson in being conTENT.
I pray that God will help us minister to this family by being His hands and feet. For they need to be reminded of the sweet peace of Jesus - and right now, WE are their peace-giving family. Thus, we will give of our CONtent. Turning around and giving away the exact provisions which He has gifted us - the one's we thought we couldn't live without. Time, money, worldly possessions. Truths we've learned about our all-sufficient Lord. Community.
Give yourself away. Stop hoarding. Perhaps, in doing so, you will stumble upon that conTENT place for which you've been searching.
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 everything through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
Contentment
Ah, yes.
Contentment. The ever elusive, deeply
desired, completely confusing
concept. Debbie Legg is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.
