Contentment
It's a beautiful thing!
I was reminded of the necessity of contentment today through a conversation with my son. Many are awaiting personal shifts in the seasons of life right now. Waiting on God to make good on His promises.
Often, year after year, our patience wears thin, leading to bouts of complaining, attitudes of unthankfulness and endless searches for immediate gratification. We research the latest trends and abruptly decide we need new decor for the house or perhaps even a new house, new clothes for our self-esteem, a career change, or possibly just an amazing last minute deal on a trip that whisks us away from our mundane routines...
Whatever you might be feeling, Zig Ziglar writes,
“The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want NOW!
1 Timothy 6:6 declares that “godliness WITH contentment is great gain.”
That means that godliness and contentment are a congruous pair. To truly walk with God, one must surrender and allow His beautiful Spirit to morph us into godliness. As believers, we trust Him with our paths and our futures, yielding our days to His timing. Assuredly, many can testify to having allowed this process to be at work in their lives, but fewer have understood the role that contentment plays in the journey.
Contentment says, “Though I thank you for what lies ahead, I am at peace HERE.”
It is the calming assurance that our best is yet to come, while gently reminding us to breathe in the value of HERE.
HERE is a test.
HERE has purpose.
When HERE ceases to have purpose, then God will move you THERE!
And,THERE will not present itself without the attitude of contentment. Cultivating a lifestyle of contentment will position you for promotion.
When was the last time you took inventory of your blessings instead of your wants and desires. I would venture to believe that if asked, we could all quickly recite the many things we are currently waiting for and would certainly like to witness come to pass, but just for today let us not think on those things. Let us BE STILL and find a place of quietness with the Lord to simply say THANK YOU for all that you have given me. THANK YOU for your presence in my life. THANK YOU for my health, safety and provision. THANK YOU for teaching me. THANK YOU for the place called HERE!
