Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1
Insight: Contentment is not having what you want; it’s wanting what you have. But here’s the rub: We’re all susceptible to wanting things we don’t have that we think will bring us a new contentment or help us capture the elusive nature of our life’s lasting happiness. But it is all a lie, a mirage. Contentment never comes from getting things we feel like we want, need, desire or deserve; rather it comes from being deeply satisfied with what we currently have, no matter the conditions we may find ourselves in. We have all played the “if, only game at various times in our life and found it never truly satisfies. You know, if I only had this, then I would be happy, content, satisfied, free, healthy, wealthy or wise. What are your if only’s? Some of mine at various times in my life have been a new car, a bigger house, a deeper relationship with my loved ones, a new girlfriend, more understanding, more free time. Currently, I am struggling with finding security in anything other than the promises of God. The enemy is relentless in his attacks, and making us feel “less than” is one of his great deception’s. The problem with all of these “if only’s” is they can’t and never will truly satisfy because they focus on a feeling of “lack”, like my life is lacking something critical for my happiness or contentment.
In reality, the scripture above from King David is Psalm 23:1 and the teachings in the New Testament from the Apostle Paul teach us that contentment is not circumstantial at all, but rather it is a natural outcome of a deep connection to the hope of God found in Jesus Christ. It is this deep personal relationship with Jesus that can provide is with great contentment and fulfill us to the brim. It’s because of our relationship with Jesus, we lack nothing, and are content in every way, the outcome of which is summarized in 1 Timothy 6:6 which says “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” Paul goes on to tell us the secret to finding and employing this contentment in Philippians 4:11-13 when he says “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Thanks to Paul for giving us the roadmap that helps to begin to change our way of thinking and deliver us from a lifetime of worthless pursuits, chasing after the wind. Contentment is not circumstantial at all! Getting what we want will only lead us to creating new things we want when the ones we just got failed to satisfy. Only Jesus can ever satisfy! Nothing else will ever compare. He alone gives us the ability to be grateful and thankful for what we currently have, whether it is plenty or it is a little, and to be so blessed as to want what we have. True freedom is then born as a result of that deep contentment that permeates all aspects of our life and touches all of those we encounter day to day.
Prayer: Father God, thanks that true contentment can be found and obtained in our relationship with Your Son Jesus. Thanks that you didn’t hide this from us, but rather you invite us into this grand experience of deep joy and contentment with Him, who always satisfies the deep longings of our soul. We are beyond blessed. Amen!
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