| “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” |
| —Philippians 4:11 |
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of chaos and noticed one individual sitting apart from everyone else with a peaceful look, even a slight smile, on his or her face? That person has found contentment.
I used to quickly acknowledge that I have never felt truly content. I am a driven person. In fact, I have felt “driven” as long as I can remember. I believe my decided lack of contentment—along with an overwhelming amount of God’s grace and blessing—have joined to drive me to succeed in many of my endeavors over the years of my life.
But, as an old man now in my dotage, I am looking back over my life and shaking my head from side to side. I am wondering—with all the frenetic activity that has marked my life, all the drive, all the lack of contentment—if I have actually accomplished anything of lasting value. You might call it the introspective musings of an old man. And, likely, you would be right.
But these days, I long to be in the position that describes the Apostle Paul, when he wrote these words found in the last half of Philippians 4:11:
… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I have yet to fully experience what the Apostle Paul describes. Though, when I think carefully about it, I do believe I am closer to learning that lesson now than I have ever been before in my life.
As we begin another day, let’s examine whether we have learned how to be content—no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves. If the answer is “no,” then we likely need to ask God to show us the pathway to contentment. If the answer is “yes,” then we need to praise God for the valuable lesson He has taught us. In either case, examining ourselves for the presence of genuine contentment offers us a most worthy exercise.
Based on a blog originally posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
