Content In All Things

  The child on the video held the shoe box as though he had just been handed the world.  One would think that the greatest treasure of all was in the box he held.  But in reality the box had some simple toys- a Matchbox car and a rubber ball.  Nothing that ran on batteries or electricity!  Also in it were toiletry items such as a wash cloth, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.  The remaining contents were school supplies like paper, colored pencils and a pencil sharpener. The box the boy held was a Christmas gift given to him through a program called Operation Christmas Child.  This program started by the ministry,Samaritan's Purse, has given nearly 1 million Christmas boxes to children since its inception in 1993.  I thought about how different this scene was from the ones that would occur around the world every Christmas season.  Crowds of pushing, rude people running to get the "best" sales on Black Friday, expensive toys with all the newest bells and whistles, ungrateful family members rushing back the day after to exchange a gift they just can't stand were scenes that ran through my mind.  How different from this small boy whose face beamed as he held his small treasures!

  Over the past couple of weeks God has been continually bringing the word contentment to my devotional time and to my thoughts throughout the day.  Being content in this world can be very difficult and I struggle with this concept.  I am sure that many of you have struggles with this, too.  It's hard not to buy into the world's ideas on what should make us content.  We are bombarded with messages that tell us what the best things in life are.  Greed and want seem to crowd out clear thinking while millions go into deep debt.  We are led to believe that lots of money and a big house will get us there.  We are shown how the newest piece of technology can make our lives so much easier.  Athletes, actors and actresses are splashed across the television and in magazines showing us the "good life".  If only we had more, more, more or different, different, different then we would have contentment.  Many of us spend so much time in our lives trying to find, buy or work our way there that we never have time to actually think about what it is to be content.  Here is what God says about these things.

     But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.     1 Timothy 6:6-11

  The more we pursue a godly life these other things fall away as unimportant and the more content we can become.  We can see the blessings in our lives more clearly and be happy with who we are than what things we have.  Timothy specifically says "godliness with contentment" will give us great gain.

   I have looked deeper into what God wants for us in the area of contentment and this is what I have found. After receiving gifts from the people in Phillipi the Apostle Paul sent this message, 

     I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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 him who gives me strength.     Philippians 4:10-13

Sometimes when I read this passage I think how amazing it is.  Paul was in prison at this time for sharing the story of Jesus.  I am sure this was not a place of comfort but yet Paul says that he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  But I want you to focus on the last line in this passage.  He gives God the glory for helping him to be content.  Once again we see that gaining full contentment is only possible with the help of God.

  I think emotions can play a big part in this.  For example, the past couple of weeks I had a few rough days at home and at school.  I was tired and feeling a little blue.  My emotions told me that what I had in life was not good  enough.  My brain started to think in a negative pattern.  Instead of being content I started to complain to anyone who would listen.  If only I had....,  If only my husband would....,  If only I could...., If only my children realized....  But then in my quiet time with God he spoke to me through a devotional book I had been reading.  These were the exact words, "You have been on a long, uphill journey and your energy is almost spent,  Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand.  I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me.  There is one thing, however, that displeases Me, your tendency to complain."  (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young)  Talk about being stopped right in my tracks! God knew exactly what I had been doing! Letting your emotions rule is dangerous.

  So during this ongoing journey to discover more about contentment I have learned a few things.  I need to focus on what God has given me already and what he has done for me in the past.  It's even helpful to write down all your blessings and pull that list out from time to time to remind you of what you do have!  Being truly content does not come from the world but from God.  If I am not content I need to talk to God about it not just complain to others around me.  They cannot fix my situation.  If we allow God to help us pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness then we can learn to be content in all things, too.  Then, just like that small boy with the Christmas shoe box, we will be beaming with contentment, too!



If you are interested in taking part in Operation Christmas Child this year click on this link: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ .You will never regret the decision to send a gift to one of these children!