Are You Content Today?

 

Quote: Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought your life
would be like and learn to find joy in the one God has given you.

Today a good portion of the world will be celebrating St. Valentine's Day. It has been romanticized and fantasized about so much that it actually causes some people quite a lot of misery. Discontent, resentment, disappointment, and actual grief will all play their part today in some people's lives. 

But, what has God given you? Are you learning to be content in the life and place that God has you right now? The Apostle Paul wrote, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11 

To want is to lack. A lot of people will be "wanting" things today that they don't have or won't get. Yet, Paul tells us that he learned to be content in the midst of the lacks in his life - one of which was not being married and with not plans to marry. I know it isn't easy. I was 38 when I got married. But, contentment is a learned virtue, not a gift of the Spirit. It may be a hard lesson, but it can be learned. 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Why can we learn to be content? Because Jesus Christ has said He will never leave nor forsake us. Actually, it says "thee." In the KJV this signifies "you, singular", not "you, the group." If you are His, He has promised to be with You, Yourself, right where you are this moment - whether married, single, in a family, in a group or alone. He is with YOU. That is the basis of our contentment. Jesus Christ Himself. 

And, ...in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) Is that not enough?

Oh, wonderful love that takes me,
Though wretched and stained with sin!
Oh, marvelous grace that makes me
All holy and pure within!...

...Oh, matchless mercy that rates me
Joint-heirs with the sinless Son!
Oh, golden glory that waits me
When tempests and clouds are done!

All things are mine, for I am His;
Oh, infinite gifts divine!
God gave His Son, His only one;
And all that He has is mine.

Annie Johnson Flint