Contentment

Paul in Philippians 4:12: "I have learned the secret of being content…"

Listening (for about the fourth time) to the Mars’ series Directions 2.0, I found myself wondering: how am I living my life? Am I always looking forward to some point in the future or am I living each day, right here and right now, to the fullest extent possible? Am I taking full advantage of all the gifts God has given me now, or am I wishing instead for more? Am I enjoying my sixth grade class as I interact with them every day or am I already looking to next year?

What would it really look like to live a life of contentment and daily celebration in God?

Would I enjoy Monday mornings because that is what God has given me for the moment? Would I be more grateful for the simple things in life? Would I enjoy each workday like I enjoy my weekends?

God hasn’t promised me tomorrow or five years from now. He’s given me today. And with today comes choices. Will I celebrate life? Psalm 119:171: “May my lips overflow with praise for you…”

Will I remember to be grateful for the little things? Will my attitude be one of thankfulness or complaint? I think of Betsie ten Boom in The Hiding Place who even thanked God for the fleas in a German concentration camp. How much more do I have to be thankful for? With an attitude of thankfulness comes contentment…

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6