We (yes, all of us to some extent) idealize the life and experience of others: you know, the whole ‘grass is greener on the other side of the fence’ thing. God knew this and, in the basic 10, He included this commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17, NKJV) The Message says: "No lusting after your neighbor’s house—or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s." (Exodus 20:17, The Message) God knows that coveting creates a mental fertile garden where all kinds of destructive, sinful behaviors grow.
Christians can
pray to develop a character trait that comes from the response of faith- contentment! Before you stop
reading, I hasten to add that the Lord does not ask you to ignore the
challenges, problems, or disappointments of your life. Contentment is not resignation to fate, giving up on our dreams, or pretending
that life is wonderful. Pain can be a gift when it moves us to seek change.
God, the Spirit, creates vision in us, and when coupled with true faith, it turns into a powerful ability to change
life for the better.
So, what does Paul
mean when he says he is content? "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." (Philippians 4:11-12, NIV) He is not looking around comparing his life to
that of others. He is not needy. No matter where he way – in prison or in the
pulpit – Paul was able to make the same declaration. “God is here and He is near.”
Can you? Will I? The Psalmist points the
way and invites us to live in this Truth. "The
stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us
rejoice and be glad in it. O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success."
(Psalm 118:22-25, NIV) Using a mason’s
metaphor, he says that a stone thrown on the discard pile yesterday became the most
visible decorative one that finished the wall (capstone) today! When we learn to wait on Him, to give our
life to Him, he can take yesterday’s wreckage and make something beautiful out
of it. “God is here and He is near.”
Usually what He
changes most is ME, not my situation. We
can choose joy today, Christian. It’s not a ‘can’ kind of question. It is a ‘will’
question. Paul reveals the power of choice in the passage quoted a moment
ago. Twice he says, “I have learned to be content.” Contentment emerges from the choice to accept
that “God is here and He is near.”
What has you
restless today? What ‘sore spot’ in your life is making you long for something
you probably should not desire? Give him
your pain, your disappointment. Yes, tell
God about it and then, in faith, leave it with Him. Thank Him repeatedly with these words; “You
are here now. You are near now.” It’s
not just an empty mantra. It’s a prayer. "Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he
has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can
understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ
Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT) Much wiser choices for change are made when
our hearts and minds are resting securely in the Presence of God.
The word from the Word
is the counsel of the Spirit given to a young man whose circumstances battered
him. His mentor wrote, with inspiration,
that Timothy should not seek more money, but rather more “God.” The result?
Contentment. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought
nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food
and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall
into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that
plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and
pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you
were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many
witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:6-12, NIV)
______________
Give thanks to the Lord,
Our God and King,
His love endures forever!
For He is good, He is above all things,
His love endures forever!
Sing praise, sing praise.
With a mighty hand
And an outstretched arm,
His love endures forever!
For the life that's been reborn,
His love endures forever!
Sing praise, sing praise.
From the rising to the setting sun,
His love endures forever!
And by the grace of God,
We will carry on,
His love endures forever!
Sing praise, sing praise.
Forever God is faithful!
Forever God is strong!
Forever God is with us!
Forever, forever.
Chris Tomlin
© 2001 sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian
Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music
Publishing)
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