Are you content?

For most of us, life in 2013 is all about comfort. We basically have everything we need and even if we’re not conscious of it, we are daily striving to figure out how to accumulate more:  More discretionary time, more money, more respect, more vacation time, more affirmation, more stuff.  Don’t get me wrong, I realize that many reading this have thoughtful dreams and Godly goals.  I’m not trying to put anyone down.  I’m simply addressing the tendency in all of us to live according to our times rather than live with the type of contentment God desires. It’s not our fault really.  Creature comforts in North America are commonplace.  Few of us have ever actually been in need.  The problem with this blessed luxury though is that it creates a type of unintended entitlement even in the most devout believer.  When I assess the comforts in my life, it’s comical to me to consider what I think I need.

So what’s the remedy? First, we need to take to heart what the scriptures say with regards contentment and satisfaction.

• Hebrews 13:5 – "Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.  For God has said “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.”
• Galatians 6:4 - "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else."
• Philippians 4:11-12 “For I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty of little."
• 1 Timothy 6:6-8 - "True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content."

Second, besides acknowledging the reality of the above verses, we must honestly consider whether we’re willing to adjust our lifestyle in order to put God first…I mean really put him first (what if he asked you to give away your TV?). If you approach this task honestly and without willful deception in your heart, I’m sure, like me, you’ll find that there’s tons and tons of stuff you could do without AND, without that stuff distracting you, you’ll be far more willing and available to serve God completely.

So, what do you think?  Are you ready to ask God what he’d like you to give up so that he can use you more?  It’s a big ask, but it’s the ticket to pure freedom.