ThankFull Week (Active Contentment)

Jeremiah and I did a contentment experiment last year that really taught us a lot.

I am reflecting on what we have fleshed out this year regarding being content.

And yes, this does relate to Thanksgiving.

I have learned that one does not just will oneself to be content. I can't tell myself "I am content" and...poof! It happens.

(If it worked that way I would next try telling Ezra "you are potty trained!" Ha!)

Like with all sin, when struggling with discontentment, one simply doesn't just remove the discontent. It has to be replaced with something else.

I have learned that contentment is gained by being actively and intentionally generous and thankful.

When I am focused on all that the Lord has blessed me with I cannot help but be content. When I am actively being thankful I cannot help but be overwhelmed with the goodness of the Lord. When I realize all that I have to be thankful for I cannot help but want to share with others.

Pastor Clay spoke a few weeks ago on the subject of biblical finances. He used an illuminating illustration on how when we are comparing ourselves to others in the aspect of "goodness" we always compare ourselves to people "below" us on the goodness scope...murderers, adulterers, etc. However, when we compare ourselves to others in the aspect of what we "have" we always compare ourselves to people "above" us on the possession scale...people with more cars, clothes, etc.

If we can retrain our minds to look at all we have been given and blessed with and have in our lives we cannot help but be thankful.

In turn, true thankfulness breeds generosity.

Generosity breeds contentment.

May your Thanksgiving this year bring about true contentment.

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Philippians 4:11-13

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 and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

What About You?

Its the Holiday Season again. Its hard to believe it is actually that time of year again. The older I get the faster the years seem to go. The commercials have a Christmas tone, the leaves are all but gone from the trees, and the weather has actually turned colder. I love the Holidays. As I sit back and think about all that has happened this year I am overwhelmed with the blessings God has given me. I am truly thankful for what He has done in my life. I am honored by His blessings and the grace He has shown my family, but I am not satisfied.

I don't mean that I am not satisfied with what he given me, what I mean is that I am not satisfied with my relationship with Him. I am not satisfied with my current level of intimacy with the Savior, I am not satisfied with my apathetic attitude when I spend time with my Lord, I am not satisfied with my compartmentalized holiness, I am not satisfied with my "convenient" love of my neighbor. I am not satisfied with a life that makes sense.

I have two choices. I can be happy with not being satisfied or I can do something about it. I believe that the direction I choose shows my true character and the actual amount of genuine love and gratitude I have towards my Savior. Its so easy for me to clap, say a hearty amen, and talk about a good message on Sunday, but its a completely different thing to actually act on it. I am reminded of the early church's response after they heard Peter preach. They didn't visit the buffet and talk, they didn't hurry home to catch the kickoff, they didn't critique the message as it applied to the lives of people they knew, they looked at each other and asked "what shall we do?" They knew that the message of Christ, the hope of the Gospel, the love of God demands action. Demands life change. Demands obedience.

What about us? Where do we stand? Which path with we choose? Obedience to the Word of God is not radical Christianity.

'nough said