Contentment? Really . . . are you sure?

Contentment seems elusive these days. 

I sat across from her at lunch today, as she told me “something is missing from my life”.  To look at her, you certainly wouldn’t think that!  I mean, she is attractive, affluent, of mature age and wisdom, well put together, confident, and has been in a friendship with God for many, many years.  Yet she is unsettled.  After talking for a while, I think we hit on the reason.  Perhaps her struggle might just define yours, so let’s talk.  Yesterday I mentioned that our lives ought be established by two guiding principles: LOVING God and SERVING others.  (Yesterday’s briefing was “Do You Remember?”  http://pastorwoman.com/ReadArchive.aspx?id=681 )

These priorities flow out of Jesus’ response when asked which was the greatest commandment.  He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no greater commandment than these.”  Mark 12.30-31   I have noticed that when we keep these in mind, we become God-focused, other-focused, and less self-absorbed; in addition, we have the ability to live life quite intentionally.  When either of these is lacking, we find ourselves out of balance, and usually, wanting for contentment.   

The dictionary defines contentment as ‘satisfaction’.  But the Greek word used to describe contentment in the Bible doesn’t just mean to be satisfied, or to have sufficient, but to have an ATTITUDE that lets us be satisfied with whatever is available.  I remember being deeply impressed with Paul’s disposition, and his ability to be content, even when he was shackled, in pain, and in prison:  “…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.”  Philippians 4.11,12

Paul passionately pursued God, and lived on purpose; his priorities kept him focused.  When he was physically and mentally tortured, he knew, ‘My God will supply all my needs, according to his riches in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4.13   Paul knew the source of all good things, and trusted him.

Contentment is for the ‘now’ —  You see, it is not uncommon for us to think, ‘I’ll be happy when….’  ‘Everything will be better when….’ ‘If only….’ ‘If I could get this….’ ‘or be….’ THEN I’d be happy.  Not so.  Contentment is not found in possessions, accomplishments, or station in life.  Those are ‘icing on the cake’, but certainly not the pathway to inner joy.  Experiencing contentment usually involves the elevation of our thinking, evaluating our life purpose, (a passionate pursuit of God), and establishing accompanying priorities, for as Paul later wrote, ‘Godliness with contentment is great gain.’ 1 Timothy 6.6  And let me add one more thing . . . to be complete, to really know contentment, a Christian must find a way to serve. 

‘You may be an ambassador to England or France,
you may like to gamble, you might like to dance, you may be the heavyweight champion of the world, 
you may be a socialite with a long string of pearls . . . but you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed,
you’re gonna have to serve somebody.’  Can you hear Bob Dylan’s legendary voice in your mind?  Bob’s theology was right.

‘Love God?  ‘Endeavoring to follow him?  Then, serving him by serving others should be a natural inclination.  Look around you . . . there are opportunities galore!  Where might you share the love of God, doing what is natural for you?  And with whom, using the gifts God has given you?  I do believe that inner contentment and joy are made complete when we take our love for God and give it away, sharing of ourselves in a way that serves others.

Christine

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