"Wherever you are, be fully there."
Considering my attitude the last few days, this was the exact reminder I needed. So often, I am tempted to think that my life would be better . . . if only. I look around and see people adding another child to their broods, buying houses, going on exotic vacations. And, as much as I love where my life is right now, I can be tricked into thinking that something more is needed to make my life feel complete.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." We hear this verse a lot, but I'm especially appreciative of the ever-important context. The statement is directed toward those who believe that financial wealth is of utmost importance, going so far as to believe that godliness is merely the avenue to financial wealth (v. 5). But Paul has another mind-set for believers: "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (v. 8).
I think it's interesting that, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the worries associated with food and clothing. He says, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25). He doesn't mention worrying about not having a house (and by that I mean not owning a home as opposed to not having a place for shelter). He doesn't mention worrying about not having children. There's no mention about worrying about not being able to take a vacation to the Caribbean, either.
That's not to say that those things aren't good. They are good, and we can consider them blessings from God when He gives them to us. But they shouldn't be the basis for our contentment. Instead, we should be content with knowing that He is taking care of us. He will provide for our needs.
So, going back to the sign I saw tonight, I'm going to be fully present where I am. Instead of wishing for the next big thing, I'm going to be grateful that God provided us with the food to make tacos for dinner tonight. I'm going to be grateful that God provided us with money to buy the shirts on our backs. I may not have all of my wants, but I certainly have all of my needs--and that's, really, all that matters.
Considering my attitude the last few days, this was the exact reminder I needed. So often, I am tempted to think that my life would be better . . . if only. I look around and see people adding another child to their broods, buying houses, going on exotic vacations. And, as much as I love where my life is right now, I can be tricked into thinking that something more is needed to make my life feel complete.
1 Timothy 6:6 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." We hear this verse a lot, but I'm especially appreciative of the ever-important context. The statement is directed toward those who believe that financial wealth is of utmost importance, going so far as to believe that godliness is merely the avenue to financial wealth (v. 5). But Paul has another mind-set for believers: "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that" (v. 8).
I think it's interesting that, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the worries associated with food and clothing. He says, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear" (Matthew 6:25). He doesn't mention worrying about not having a house (and by that I mean not owning a home as opposed to not having a place for shelter). He doesn't mention worrying about not having children. There's no mention about worrying about not being able to take a vacation to the Caribbean, either.
That's not to say that those things aren't good. They are good, and we can consider them blessings from God when He gives them to us. But they shouldn't be the basis for our contentment. Instead, we should be content with knowing that He is taking care of us. He will provide for our needs.
So, going back to the sign I saw tonight, I'm going to be fully present where I am. Instead of wishing for the next big thing, I'm going to be grateful that God provided us with the food to make tacos for dinner tonight. I'm going to be grateful that God provided us with money to buy the shirts on our backs. I may not have all of my wants, but I certainly have all of my needs--and that's, really, all that matters.
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