Contentment

I've been thinking a lot over the past few weeks about what it means to be content. Does being married make you content? Does having kids make you content? How about having the right job? What about doing things that make you or others feel good? Does having money or things make you content? What about having a relationship with God? I know I'd be content if I won the lottery! I had this conversation with my wife a few weekends ago. I won't tell you how it ended or what we specifically talked about but I will tell you that I came to a certain conclusion after going down a few rabbit trails. That conclusion was that it's not about me. Yes, you've got it. It's not about me. I know. You think I'm crazy don't you. No matter what I'd like to think, I am not the center of the universe. I am not even the center of Wenatchee. And I'm not even the center of our household. I'd like to think I am, but I'm not. When I stop to think about it, my life, as it fits into God's complete plan for his creation, is less than a blip on the radar screen. It's even compared less than a grain of sand in the whole universe. It's pretty insignificant. But that's still from MY perspective! Thankfully, God views me as being more than insigificant. He treats me the very best that he could possibly treat his child. He has done, continues to do, and will eternally always do more for me than I could possibly ask for or comprehend. He knew me before the foundation of the world! That's significance... to God! So when I put together the idea that it's not about me and that I am significant to God, it doesn't matter what I want to do, but it matters what God wants me to do. It doesn't matter what I want to be but it matters what God wants me to be. As a result, my contentment doesn't have anything to do with what I'm feeling at the time or what I'm doing at the time or where I am or who I'm with. My contentment rests in God! Do I always feel that way? No! Why? Because then I've fallen right back into my contentment being based on what is going on with me. I then have to remind myself that it's not about me but it's about God. Sometimes that's a hard battle to fight. With the Holy Spirit's help, I can be and always will be successful. Are you content? If so, what is the source of your contentment? If it's not on God, then you will soon find yourself uncontent. If you're not content, consider putting God before yourself in every area of your life. If you put God first in those areas, how can he bring contentment? Because really, it's not about you, or me, but about God!