Philippians
4:11-13
11 Not
that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to
be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to
abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all
things through Christ[b] who strengthens me.
Contentment is a mystery.
I call it mysterious for it seems so evasive for the majority of us and I
wonder often if it’s truly possible to attain.
It is so mysterious that when I do see a real Christian living a life of
contentment, I automatically assume there is something that is being hid and it
actually isn’t so. If I cannot find that
peace that being grateful and contentment brings, then surely no one else can
either. Oh, how wrong was my train of thought.
My assumptions were beginning to be corrected as I realized
that contentment isn’t something that is searched after, found, and taken hold
of, but rather an interior state of being---a Christ-like attitude of life and the
world, and the interplay between the two.
God has a
Plan
The reality is that we falsely
tie in contentment with money or material possessions; the idea being the more I
have (money, homes, cars, things…) then the more content (and thus happy) I will
surely be. But in reality, as we all
have come to know, money doesn’t truly buy us happiness and the great paradox
is that the lack of it doesn’t either!
Luke
12:1515 And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of
covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses.”
Contentment, contrary to popular belief, does not necessarily
mean being satisfied with what we have or where we are in life, but rather realizing
that God has a plan for us, but only if we allow His will to be done in our
lives. We need to remember that His ways
are not our ways, and His timing is not our timing. And it is in this attitude
or perspective of life, as we put on the mind of Christ, that we begin to learn
to depend on God for our daily bread, realizing that He indeed is our heavenly
Father that cares for us personally and in the details of our life.
Priorities and the Purpose of Life
Oftentimes, even the most sincerest of Christians get so
bogged down with day to day life of raising a family, going to work, taking
care of the children, that we often lose sight of the real purpose of life: to
become Christ like, grow in holiness, and to serve our neighbor. Our
lives and priorities are so out of balance that we end up in a tailspin and
burn out.
Discontentment then takes hold for we have, unknowingly,
adopted the worlds goals and standards (as opposed to Christ’s goals and
standards) as our very own : more money, bigger homes, more cars, Wall street.
The Lord reminds us that we are in the world, but not of the world; now we need
to begin living out our lives and setting our priorities as such; living for
Christ and not for the ruler of this world. As St. Paul says, “If we live in
the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:25). And it is in the living and walking in the
Spirit where the scales in our eyes begin to fall away, and we begin to see
what is important and what, in fact, is a delusional waste of our precious time
and energy.
How to begin
Let us clearly state that this is not a question of
money, wealth, or even possessions. (We can be wealthy and grateful as well as
poor and ungrateful) It is about what is
in our heart and how we are serving God, family, and neighbor with what we
have. When we begin to set our
priorities of life straight, then we will begin to discern what God’s will is
for me, my situation, and my life. Then
whatever I have, be it small or large, I use it for His Glory so that Christ
may be all in all!
So here is a short list of ideas to reflect upon so as to
foster contentment and gratitude.
1. Intentional Christian: taking
your life in Christ and in His Body (the Church) as the single most
important relationship to foster. Not
saying that your family is not important, but 1st things 1st. Seek ye first the kingdom of God! We must
move from being a Christian by name only, and to become Christians from
the inside out.
2. Living within your means: Our
parameters (goals, objectives) for living must be rooted in the Gospel and
in the reality of what we have or do not have. As we allow the world to dictate to us
how to live, how much to spend, and what to buy, then we will always fall
short and be unsatisfied (not to mention forever being in debt thus held
captive to the system). Dedicate yourself and your wealth (health,
finances, talents, time) to the Lord and He will bless your circumstance
and condition, whatever it may be.
3. Become a Giver: It is better to give than receive says the
Lord. Along with
tithing, God desires that every Christian becomes aware of and then cares
for the needs of others. Be it
feeding the hungry, helping your neighbor, or being friend for someone
experiencing hard times, we are all called to become like Christ, and to
come out of ourselves, and lay our lives down for one another.
4. Priorities: Health is wealth: spiritual health and physical health; we
need to address both at all times. Love
of God and love of neighbor comes first and is our driving force in
life. We surely address all aspects
of life, but in the light of the Love of God.
5.
Develop
and Attitude of Thankfulness: We often lose sight of the blessings we do have right in front
of our nose. We must begin to acknowledge
all of the blessings God has showered upon us and begin to praise and thank Him
continually (Bless the Lord oh my soul Psalm 103). Do not let a moment go by
that you do not thank God for what you have and where you are. It is
remarkable how much we whine, and yet have so much. Turn that frown upside down
and begin to smile, and give thanks and praise to the Lord.
6. Thy Will be Done. "More than that, I count all things to be loss
in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom
I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that
I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8).
Seek Gods will and not the worlds and realize that there is nothing
in this world that compares to the gaining of Jesus in our lives.
7. I no longer fear, I now love, for love cast out fear: . "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13). If God is with
us, who then can be against us: we
need to begin to trust that God is involved in our lives and cares for
us. And with Him, I can get through
anything.
8. Peace: "The peace
of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). He promised to give us His
peace from above that transcends any earthly joy. He didn’t promise us that our problems
and difficulties will magically all disappear. You can be assured of trials and
tribulations being a Christian.
What he did promise us is the power and peace from on High, to
endure and overcome our tragedies; “My yoke is easy, and My burden is
light” says the Lord God. Let us
lay our difficulties at His feet trusting that He hears the crying of our
hearts.
So my brothers and sisters let us stop running around
searching for contentment for it is not an object that can be picked up and
held. It lies within our heart; where
your hearts is, so is your treasure. It is even more than an attitude; it is a
repositioning of the heart into a receptive state, allowing our most gracious
Lord the space to work His Wonders in us, transforming us by Grace, into a new
creation, with the potential to become Christ Bearers, making HIM present in
this fallen and dark world. And this my friends, brings contentment, peace, and
joy into the depths of our beings. I
pray this be a reality in all our lives.
Your servant in Christ Jesus our King and our God,
Ft. Spyridon
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