I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13, emphasis added
Are you content? Do you know how to be brought low and how to abound? Perhaps you struggle with contentment … I do sometimes. In my quest to pursue simple this year, I’ve come back time and again to the idea of contentment. From being honest about why I wanted a MacBook {because all the cool kids have them} to learning to enjoy things without owning them, this one lesson has been proven time and again:
The key to simplicity isn’t looking around and seeing less stuff … it’s looking in and being content.
Perhaps you also struggle with contentment. May I recommend that you look in instead of looking around?
Lord, we want … always want. And it’s not just “stuff” we long for, it’s recognition, admiration, praise. We are desperate to be noticed and affirmed. From our homemaking to our childrearing, from success at work to praise about our spiritual lives … we crave more and more. But You know the truth … that craving, that desperate seeking, will destroy us. How You desire for us to be satisfied with what You give us, where You place us, what You do in us! Cause us, Oh God, to look in and see the work You are doing. And teach us to be content. Retrain our hearts and minds and give us a new standard … the one You designed for us from the beginning of time. May our measure of all things be that You receive all glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Leave a Reply