Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Contentment

This has been on my mind quite a bit lately. I am guessing that would be because Christmas is upon us, and I am hearing a lot of "I want". Now, we all like it when people want what we give them but does that mean we need to go around continually saying "I want". I realize that it is mainly the kids that are doing that, but what is in your heart. Are you content? Are you wishing for something but not verbalizing it only because it wouldn't be the "right" way to act? Are things really what are important in this world. What is it to be content? The 1828 Noah Webster dictionary say that as a noun it means: Rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition, or further desire, and often implyintg a moderate degree of happiness. Philippians 4:11; I Timothy 6:6; & Hebrews 13:5 all speak on being content. Philippians gives us an example from Paul that explains that we can learn to be content. It doesn't matter where we are at in life or what we have. We can still be content. I Timothy reminds us the we can't take anything with us when we die so there really is no gain for wanting more. Hebrews reminds us that God will always be with us. How could we desire anything more than that! God is so gracious. He is always watching out for us and wants only the best for us. Why do we want to look anywhere else but towards Him for all our needs (or even desires)? It is so easy to get caught up in the world's game of having to have the best or needing more than the next person. However, does that ever bring anyone true happiness. I think not. It may bring a temporary happiness like a 2 yr. old with a new toy, but soon just like that 2 yr. old, the joy is gone from that earthly thing that we thought would make our life so much better. Only God can give us true happiness. If we focus on Him, we can be truly content which will bring true happiness.

5 comments:

Me said...

Amen!!! Perfect for this time of year when it is easy to get carried away with "material things"! We took our youth caroling tonight and my group went to the nursing home(where it is warm:). As I watched one very sweet lady sway and sing with us, I reflected upon these very things. When it is all said and done what matters is really the legacy you leave behind, not how many "toys" you can get or tasks one has accomplished. Thanks for sharing!:0)

Kim said...

Thanks, that was a very good reminder for me. Noah is very much in the "I want" stage. At the store he wants everything form the toy he sees, to the gum, to the toilet cleaner (I am not even kidding). He just grasps now that there is much to want, unfortunately. In talking to him I have been getting a good lesson in contentment too.

Stacie@HobbitDoor said...

I think that often when we are wanting other things we are not wanting Him enough. We have to substitute one desire for the other. Thanks for the reminder to keep Him our main desire.

Susan said...

Thanks for sharing Deb, you communicate very well (: Good reminder indeed!!!!!

Aunt B said...

Thanks for sharing this. I didn't read it till Rick had me proof reading his over coffee article and he had included your comments. I suppose with 7 children you will hear the I want a little more than the rest of us! Your reminder is good. We all need to stay in balance. Not too much emphasis here and make sure we keep Him first. Happy new year. B. J.