Contentment

 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:8-13 ESV).

 

Since Mary and I were married I have held many “jobs.” To be clear, there was never a doubt about the calling of God to be a vocational minister; however, as I finished my formal education I needed to “bring home the bacon.” I’ve done janitorial work, odd jobs like painting store windows with seasonal messages, assembly line work in a window and door factory, design drafting, painting and small construction, and a stint at Home Depot in the flooring department. I’ve been a consultant, salesman, and manager in secular positions. And, of course, I’ve been a college student minister, associate pastor, pastor, life coach and counselor. Some paid well, others only provided a meager compensation. However, in every circumstance God more than supplied our needs. In all our journey we have been content. Contentment should never be about how much stuff we possess!

 

Contentment was a powerful word to the Greek-speaking people of the Apostle Paul’s day. To be content literally means “to find everything you need within yourself.” Many teachers in that day believed that contentment was the greatest virtue. But their version of contentment was based on self-accomplishment. To become content, they taught, a person had to be able to provide completely for himself or herself.

 

Paul knew that it was a myth to think that a human being can be completely self-sustaining. And yet here he looks within himself and finds that everything he needs is there within him. God put it there. The Holy Spirit had begun living inside of Paul. This contentment provided by the Spirit of God gave Paul tremendous freedom. He goes on to say that sometimes his physical needs have been met, and sometimes they have not been met. But even when he has not had enough food, clothing, money, or other basic needs, he has still found that God’s peace and strength have been present within him. There is the secret to contentment… resting in the knowledge that God will never leave us alone to face difficulty!

 

This month we’ll explore more of the details in this kind of life. My prayer and hope for you is that you will find as much joy and peace as I have even when life doesn’t seem to make sense!