Are You Content?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:31-33

 

You've seen the ads that tell you (scream at you) that without their product or service your life is miserable.  They tug at your vanity.  They play to the idea that your paycheck is never enough.  Some will even strive to get you to believe you can actually get something for nothing.  Others will tell you that if you have ever taken a drug, had a surgery, or have any sort of injury, then you need them to "get all the money you deserve."

 

The reality is, we are constantly being hammered with the notion that our lives are lacking and we should never be content with anything!  But Jesus reminds us that when we put our priorities in the right order, we have can be content.  And His recipe for contentment is very simple: Put God first above everything, live to show God is first, and you will be content.

 

Yes, there have been, and are, times when I get discouraged because my paycheck isn't bigger, but eventually God reminds me that a bigger paycheck is not the answer.  Why? Because once the "new" wears off your larger salary, you start, once again, believing that your paycheck isn't big enough anymore.  Our natural inclination is always more. Think about this mindset: "If a little is good, then a lot must be better."  That's the trap of discontentment!  

 

Yes, there have been, and are, times when I get discouraged by the fact that, as a Chaplain, I am not eligible for promotion.   But eventually God reminds me that in order to be of service to others, I am where He needs me to be.  

This hit me between the eyes the other day when I was outside with Woody Bear (our dog).  I laid down on the deck and watched the birds flying through the crystal blue sky and Woody laid down with me and promptly fell asleep.  Those few moments of peacefulness reminded me that it doesn't take much to be content.