I’ve spent quite a few months complaining about my job and where I am in life. I have felt like a failure and I have wished only to escape. I wanted another job where I can excel like I have at every other job I’ve had. However. The economy being what it is, there really are not that many jobs out there.
Lately I have been bombarded with some thoughts that revolve around contentment. Everywhere I look I am given verses and thoughts that are leading to contentment. I realize that I am a tiny bit stubborn and God needs to take extreme measures sometimes to get my attention but really? So much?
Even my mom is being used. She wrote on contentment this week. She shared with me quotes on contentment and verses on being content. I tried to escape with a fiction novel but it had verses that spoke of contentment to me.
So I resigned myself to being content. Big sigh. I’m not really content but if that is what God wants, I’ll go there. Big sigh.
I’m pretty sure my attitude has yet to be changed. I don’t think resigning myself to contentment is quite what he had in mind. Especially when in 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul charges us to “be cheerful no matter what.” We should pray all the time. We should thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants me to live.
My view of my situation needs to change. Right now I am viewing from my point of view. I am seeing it through what I think it should be. I am not seeing it from anyone else’s point of view.
I have a job. I should be grateful to have employment when so many others do not. I have a healthy spouse who also has employment. I have healthy children. My son-in-law has MS but it is in remission. My married children both have jobs.
I have a home. I have 2 healthy pets. I have friends and a wonderful small group. I have a wonderful church along with the freedom to enjoy their services. My parents and my in-laws are still alive and relatively healthy for their ages.
I am close to my brothers through the blessing of email, Internet and phones. I can keep in touch with people I know or used to know easily with the use of that same information highway.
I have a strong heritage in my family to love God and share his Word with others. The question isn’t “will you serve?” but “how will you serve?” Most all in my family seek to serve in some way.
When I look at my life this way, I long to become the kind of container God can use. Paul says to Timothy that we need to be ready to present through God any and every kind of gift to those in need. He also says that through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
I’m not just going to work to earn money to pay for college and retirement. I am there for a reason. I am there to encourage others to listen to God and his Word. I am where I am because God is using me whether I can see it or not.
Matthew quoted Jesus when he said you are blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less. He also says, but if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
My life needs to be content and for that I need God’s Word. His word is what I need every day to keep me looking to him for every thing. He will provide the finances I need. He will provide the food and clothing I need. He will provide me with a job and the ability to do that job so that he will be glorified, not me.
He will keep my family safe and provide them with what they need. He will provide a way to visit my parents and my in-laws. He will provide time to get my house cleaned and organized. He will provide the time and energy I need to help others. He will give me opportunities to share His love with others.
He is my all in all. When I look at it that way, I don’t need to resign myself to contentment. I don’t need to figure out how to be thankful or joyful. I keep myself grounded in Him, in his Word and in his thoughts and his contentment will surround me.
Psalm 131:2 I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby-content.
