Be Content

These days I’m learning how to become more comfortable and efficient with the use of one hand. For this post it isn’t all bad that my hand is moving slower than my mind. I’ve been mulling over a thought lately that came to the surface in my conversation last night and also was a topic in my Bible study this morning. Seeing as Thanksgiving is a week from today I thought there probably is value in jotting down some of the things the Lord has been reminding me.

This year more than ever I’ve found myself thinking a lot about Christmas gifts. What do I want to put on my list? What will I buy with the gift money? Should I save it for something big or buy a pair of gray boots to replace my old, falling apart ones? What should I get for the family exchange (or more like, what would I want to end up with)?

It’s kind of embarrassing, really. I’m like my six-year-old self again, only this time I’m an adult. Which could be part of the problem: new house, new baby (resulting in a new/different body), new stage of life. When it comes time to get dressed for church I often find myself complaining about my limited nursing wardrobe and soon I’m criticizing the clothes I can wear. Last night I verbalized these frustrations to Seth and then the verse came to mind.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. I Timothy 6:8

Whammo! I hear You, Spirit. We have a kitchen stocked with nutritious, delicious things to eat. The fact that I even have choices of what to wear to church means I have more than I really need. (Would it be so terrible if we all had one Sunday outfit for each season?)

Part of me wants to overreact and not buy anything ever again. Okay, that would maybe last a week. But I can lean far to the right and wonder if it’s really okay to buy new leggings or shoes when I can certainly live without them. What about home decorations? How does the Lord feel about those things that sit on a shelf just to look pretty? Seriously, these types of questions can take me a while to sort through.

I don’t have all the answers, in fact I may not have any right answers. But I think that more than what I do or don’t buy, the heart and the motive is what needs to be right with God. I’m sure you all had that figured out by now. While I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all formula that I can use to know what’s worth getting, there are a few questions I can ask to determine if accumulating something else is God glorifying.

First of all, if I can acknowledge that I have a want, not a need, I can ask myself why I want it. The underlying motive can be that of pride: I’ll look better or feel more accepted if I have this thing. Sometimes it’s just comfort, which can be a good reason or one worth questioning further. Another motive can be health. There are things that I want that will help promote good health but aren’t essential for it. These are just a few questions that come to mind and there are more to ask. Getting new stuff isn’t a sin, but the motive in my heart can be sinful and I need to be honest with myself as to why I want more.

I acknowledge there are many things that can impact our level of contentment, not just our possessions. It’s just been something on my mind as I’ve been finding myself thinking about what things I want. For some the struggle in contentment may come with relationships, health, location, the list goes on. In all things, we are called to be content. It’s not merely a suggestion, it’s a command. Let us be content.

Going into a season where we are bombarded with professional marketing schemes to point out what would make our lives “better,” I really want to embrace Paul’s words in Philippians.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, 
in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: 
everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be 
full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 
v. 11-13

I love how Paul acknowledges there will be seasons of plenty and want and that it isn’t by our determination that we’ll be content through whatever life gives. Our strength to rise above sin nature, cultural influence, and discomfort comes from Christ. This season we get to remember the gift that He is. With Him, we have every reason to be content.