Friday, November 20, 2009

Have you noticed that contentment, American style, denies our human limitations? When I pursue and achieve a notable but personal goal, then I am content, or am I? When I insulate my family from possible problems with money or otherwise ensure my family is self-sufficient, then I am content, or am I? As I seek contentment American style, my own limitations too often cause me to see (1) a world that gets in the way of reaching my goal, (2) a family that’s imperfect, and (3) friends and colleagues that don’t appreciate me – that’s not contentment!!

The Apostle Paul said “I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). How can that be – Paul was in prison, in chains. He goes on to say that he gratefully accepted his dependence on God and the sharing of gifts offered by others. How does Paul accept his human limitations and express genuine contentment?

I’ve asked the same question as I marvel at the contentment that my 22-year old, brain injured son, Kevin, expresses daily. How does Kevin accomplish this? Here are a couple of observations that I’ve attributed to Kevin’s contentment: First, he is grateful for everything and everyone he encounters, with the exception of his twice daily medicine (and I couldn’t agree more on the medicine thing – YUK!). He enjoys the company of everyone he is with, and he thoroughly loves the routine of life – especially bath, bed, and prayer time. Finally, Kevin maintains a quiet center about him and isn’t interested in things of the past or concerned about things in the future. Contentment is Kevin’s natural wealth, and he doesn’t seek more because he is comfortable with his life’s position.

I’ve observed and pondered this demonstrated joy and contentment for over a decade, and I have offered plenty of rationalizations over the years as to why this could not apply to my busy life (or yours). In fact, nothing is further from the truth! Contentment is not the absence of suffering or favorable circumstances that are made beyond our control. Instead, contentment is found through my level of devotion to the worship and service to God and His Kingdom. For me, that usually means that I have to stay in the here and now – let go of past circumstances or turn off the possible worries of the future. Ecclesiastes 4:6 says “better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” I can tame most any appetite, but my appetite for worries of the future and reacting to past hurts affect my devotion to Christ more than it should.

As I look towards Thanksgiving and the example of Paul and my son on contentment, I am invited to be joyous and content through something as simple as gratitude. When I acknowledge God’s grace in forgiving my sins or notice God’s mark of love that is all around me all the time, it’s easy to be thankful and hard to be judgmental of the world around me, because God is in the middle, not me. My daily choice is whether I will loosen my grip on life’s baggage and allow God to be my porter and driver.

While I learn and grow in Christ-like responses to my life’s rough edges, I am encouraged by 1 Timothy 6:6, “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Now I’m all for that!

~Jim Winter