Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Luke 12:38
What is the attitude that is the right one before God in life? Contentment.
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
So much of this life is in pursuit of things, getting to the next level, rising just a bit higher in the community, state, and world. The desire to be rich, and have lots of nice things, always striving and never content.
Don’t you know? The more things you have the more they have you.
How does one receive and maintain such contentment? Within the soul, heart, and mind?
It all begins and revolves around the love of God. Can you let His love into you? The more you are filled with the love of God the less you crave everything else. The soul is content, because He resides within the space created for Him within you. Many try to fill that space within them with many other things. But only He will satisfy that place within you.
But God, who is always good, loving, and kind does give good gifts to His children. But those gifts require responsibility. When we’re young it’s our parent’s job to guide us with those gifts and teach us how to be patient, and self controlled. To teach us to be respectful, and loving. As we grow older and we’re filled with His Spirit, He teaches us how to become mature through humility, gratefulness, and repentance.
Lots of gifts, talents, and abilities brings more responsibilities to steward them all correctly. Lots of things requires lots of time to care for them. Is our focus to be on things or on His purpose for our lives? We can easily become distracted by all of our immediate responsibilities by all the things in our lives. Children are some of the highest and greatest gifts God can give a person. But as any parent will tell you — it’s a lifetime commitment that will consume you in many ways. BUT some of the greatest lessons in understanding God can only come from being a parent. The lessons of love are beyond comprehension when it comes to your children. God is still teaching me about His heart through examples with my adult children today.
Oh how God desires us to just talk with Him. To just spend time with Him. Just to ‘hang out’ with Him. In that ‘secret’ place between just the two of you. It’s in that place I’m learning contentment.
How courageous are you with God? Do you dare ask Him which desires in you are good and which ones are bad? Are you willing to give up things if He’s asks you to? Can you let even more of His love inside of you? Do you dare to ask Him to fill every crevice of your being with His love?