Aaahhhh....contentment

Although I refuse to make a New Year's resolution, I have asked God to evaluate my life and reveal to me some areas where I need to improve. The one that He brings to my attention over and over is contentment.

We are bombarded daily with advertisements that reveal to us items or services that we don't have, need a newer model of, or simply cannot live another moment without. It's easy to look at the anorexic-looking models and wish we were thinner or see models that remind us that we need more or different-colored hair. The car ads tell us we need faster, yet more fuel-efficient, and more-luxurious cars. Our pets need the newest temperature-controlled pillows from Pet Smart, and the children need the newest-release of books that read themselves to the kids so the parent can do other, more important things.

So, it's easy to see why we can get so discontented with our juncture in life. Now, I'm not a real vain or needy person; in fact, I'm probably the epitome of "plain Jane." But I have caught myself looking around at friends and thinking it would be "cool" or "neat" to have one of those... (whatever it is that they have that day). Sometimes, it's material things, like a car or clothes or houses. At other times, it's more situational, such as their family life, or their accomplishments at work, or their spiritual lives. It could be any number of things.

God's is encouraging me to focus on Him and things that are lovely, pure, and of good report. When I focus solely on Him and things around Him, contentment floods my heart and soul. It's only when I allow my sight to scan this sunken and dirty earthly life that I'm discontent. Sure, there are things I'd like to have, but their significance seems to dramatically fade when my relationship is right with Christ. And these "things" don't nearly nag at me as much or steal my contentment anymore.

As I read Scripture (see below) and ponder my pitiful earthly-induced discontent, I am reminded that I am a weak creature and am in need of a strength beyond human proportions. Thank you, God, for being my strength and providing sufficient grace for me.


Scripture readings:

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8