If you are a regular on the social media site Facebook, then
you probably have taken one of those what kind of person are you quizzes. You know what kind of friend are you? What kind of parent are you? What kind of
movie star would you be? Ok, all I have
proven at the moment, is I spend too much time on Facebook. During my volunteer shift, in effort to aid
clients emotionally, and spiritually as well as practically, I am encouraged to
inquire about their spiritual background, or preferences. I realize what a privilege this is, and how
personal that is, and so I approach the subject respectfully for the sacred
ground I tend upon. I truly do desire to
serve the whole person. For example, if
someone states I am a Christian, I say what that means to you, because being a
Christian means different things depending upon a person's own definition. I have recently asked not out loud, but
over the course of a year or so, what kind of Christian am I?
I wish I could tell you I'm one of those Christians that
every time someone asks me how I am doing, that my response is "better
than I deserve" because while that statement is of course true, It isn't me,
it isn't how God wired me. If God has wired you that way you are blessed with a
depth of spiritual maturity I don’t have yet. You have nothing to be ashamed of
and I'm inspired by you. For the rest of us who haven't yet made to where you
are standing, please be patient with us who openly acknowledge our doubts and
questions before the great God of the universe. I have a false perception and
expectation of what contentment actually is.
My mentor challenged me to redefine what being content means for
me. What did it mean for Jesus, Paul,
Joseph Peter, and others? .Well
let's start with Jesus. Hebrews 12 2
says fix our eyes on Jesus for the joy set before Him despised the same and
endured the cross. Elsewhere in
scripture tells us in the Gospel accounts that Jesus desperately wanted to be
spared from the cross. It was for the
joy ahead of him that enabled Him to endure the agony of the cross. It was not that he loved being in pain, or
pretended that He enjoyed the ordeal. He
offered himself based upon the future outcome and result that would take place,
salvation. It
isn't that he was content with the immediate circumstances, but He was content in
the rend result... He was content IN
this, not with this. The same with Paul I'm sure He did not enjoy jail and isolation
or humiliation. He still chose to view
his life and his loses through the lens of Gods eternal and present
promises. It is possible then, to be
discontent with a circumstance itself, and still be content in Christ. . 11
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.' Phil. 4:11-13.
The world says we are entitled to instant gratification. We
become disillusioned with ourselves and God, when we experience road blocks,
losses or even less than favorable events in our lives. All as result of not understanding Christ has
not promised a joy ride, of gratification, but a lasting journey which offers
contentment in, not from our circumstances.
This is what enables a mom at her breaking point, not to throw in the
town on guiding her sassy teenager. She
understands that while she may not, be content with their behavior, she marches on, because she is content knowing
and that one day her investment will pay
off even if it simply means knowing she did her best. What if contentment means choosing to respect
your boss, even if you don't agree? What
if it means mourning that outcome, but staying faithful in prayer anyway? What if it means being gracious, and thankful
when life does not go, as planned or the bill is more than you were prepared to
pay? I don't know about you, but redefining
contentment
this way, takes a lot of pressure off.
There is a difference between complaining, and simply acknowledging that
while life isn't a fairyland. There is a sure foundation. What kind of Christian am I? I am the kind that is learning and growing
imperfectly in contentment found outside of external surroundings, within the
unchanging faithfulness of the Christ.
How do you define being content?
Like me, do you need to reexamine your definition of contentment
personally despite what society throws at you?
Don't miss your sunsets, because of the clouds.
