Chasing Contentment

Contentment is a learned skill. One at which I am not very good at. I am sure that most can identify with me on this one. But Paul, a man who gave up virtually all he had to serve Christ, has it all figured out. He writes in his letter to the church in Phillipi:

"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 4:11-13 (ESV)

This is one of those passages that hits me right between the eyes. We all know about verse 13, but how many of us have actually put it into context? So often, it is used all by itself, that we completely miss the essence of what Paul is saying. We have missed the secret. Paul has it all figured out, but we have completely missed a huge, huge truth! Paul is like: I know how great it is to have all that you desire, I've been there, but I also know what it is to have nothing, to be poorer that dirt. But in spite of any situation that I have been in, I know that no matter what, I will be okay. All I need is Christ. He is enough for me. He will take my weakness, and give me strength. 

And when I compare Paul's attitude and perspective to my own, I am ashamed. How little faith I have. When I have been brought low, and feel weak, I look at the current season of life that I am in, and I am ready for the next chapter. To be done with school, with shoddy part-time jobs. I am ready to start my career, to settle in. While part of me yearns for the future, I am still here in this chapter. I still have obstacles to avoid, hurdles to jump. I am filled with discontent as to where God has placed me at the moment. Then I look at all that I don't have, rather than remembering all that God has given me. 

But don't we all? We live in a society that is filled with desire and the obsessive pursuit of the "American Dream"

The unfortunate thing is that desire is an endless pursuit. How often do we all buy into the notion that if we can just move on into the next chapter of our lives, that we will be happy? We also trick ourselves into thinking that if we just have this one pair of shoes, or that blouse, etc...that we will be happy. We won't want anything else. But the more we feed into these lies, the hungrier we are. The emptier we are when our material goods don't satisfy us anymore. The more restless and anxious we get to move on to the next season of life. But we only get one life to live, and it is gone in what seems to be a blink of an eye. Why are we so worried about moving on to the next thing in life? We are called to bloom right where we are planted! God has lessons for us to learn, people to reach out to no matter where we are in life. And yet, we are so concerned about pursuing happiness for ourselves that we miss so much in our journey and walk with the Lord! 

This resolution was certainly hard for me to swallow, because I find myself being discontent with my lot in life more often than I would like to admit. I see all that others have, and I try to compete, as if it really matters. I get jealous when I see others moving on in life, starting careers and families. All that I want in life. Sometimes I need to pay more attention to the lessons that the Lord has for me in this current season, to pay attention to those that the Lord is prompting for me to reach out to. To remember that no matter what, Christ is enough. When I am in a low season, to remember that Christ will help me to endure. When I abound, to stay grounded, remembering that my joy is not grounded in the material blessings, but in Christ, who has provided them to me. 

So instead of pursuing happiness, we ought to be chasing after contentment. Because contentment in Christ is the only thing that truly satisfies.

So here is my resolution:

"I do solemnly resolve to embrace my current season of life and will maximize my time in it. I will resist the urge to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey but will live with a spirit of contentment."

I hope you will join me.

Chasing contentment as I wait,

Alicia

Psalm 138:8