Contentment

Last night at VIEW, Raymond asked, "Are you content?"

Am I?

We split into small groups and asked the question, "What would it take for you to be content?"

What would it take?

I wasn't sure. Would getting married, surviving Grad school, buying a new Fall wardrobe, moving into a nicer apartment, etc make me completely content? Maybe for a moment...

I've been here before. In high school and college I would occasionally think, "If I only had a car, a cell phone, a boyfriend, a good grade in Chemistry, a part in this play... I'll be content." But it would be fleeting. Mere moments later I would be looking for the next accomplishment or STUFF. So what does it mean to be content? And what does Christ require of us?

He wants us to be content RIGHT where we are.

Paul says in Phillipians, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what 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."

He then explains WHY he can live in contentment, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

So how are you living? How am I living?

I'm currently working through this in my own personal life. It's something I've been trying to lift up to God. And it has been a hard couple of months trying to live in the moment of trust. Because that's what it's all about, right? Trusting God with your life. Living for HIM one day at a time. Not getting caught up in the world of "I want." Knowing that He is going to take care of you and being content in that.

Any circumstance you find yourself in, Christ is there with you. Whether you're hungry or not. Whether you're in need or not.

One of my teens said it perfectly last night, "I think true contentment would be if I let go of all of those things that I want that I believe will make me content."

Lean on Christ. True contentment is Him.