Oftentimes I have this question running through my head: “Though my circumstances never change, could I be content?”
It has been said that contentment has been praised more and practiced less than any other condition of life.
Martin Luther said, “The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right. Next to faith this is the highest art – to be content with the calling in which God has placed you.”
From his prison cell, chained to a Roman guard, the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-12, “…for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live with almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”
The Greek word for contentment is autarkes. Strong’s concordance says that contentment is an uncomplaining acceptance of one’s share.
The Amplified Version renders verse 11 this way: “I have learned to be content (satisfied to the point where I am neither disturbed nor disquieted) in whatever state I am.”
Could I, like Paul, be content chained to a Roman guard? I’d like to say, “Wow, what a great adventure that brought me here!” But, I seriously doubt it. Could you? But if that is the worst thing that could happen to you, could you live with it?
Contentment is one of the hardest virtues of the Christian life to achieve. We live in a culture where we are bombarded daily by commercials telling us that our lives are not complete unless our lawn is the greenest, in the best neighborhood, or we possess this one particular device, gadget or latest fashion trend. The auto industry for decades has been a master of creating discontentment with their “planned obsolescence,” so we would have to buy a new car or truck every few years just to keep up. Even churches are not exempt. We must have the latest in sound systems or lighting to create the perfect environment for meaningful worship. Really?
And suddenly the world changes! We struggle to hang on! Now what?
It reminds me of a ride at the old Riverview Amusement Park called The Rotor. You would enter this round barrel and stand against the wall. The Rotor would start turning. When it reached its full speed, the floor would gradually retract leaving you stuck against the wall by centrifugal force! As it slowed to a stop gravity once again took over and riders would gradually slide down the wall.
Maybe some of you are feeling like your life is like that ride. Turning and turning hardly able to hang on with nothing firm to stand on.
Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:6-8: “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into this world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So, if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” Note that it doesn’t say what the food is, or that the clothes are the latest style. We are to be content with “whatever.” Do you get why this is one of the hardest of virtues to achieve?
Contentment is something we learn the apostle Paul says. However, one can only learn contentment by going through times when we, most likely, would be discontented. I’m sure we want to be content… we just don’t want to go through the process to get there!
So, where does the strength to be content come from? Let’s read on in the passage. Paul says in verse 13, “For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” Paul’s confidence comes from Jesus Christ. He doesn’t say, “I would be happy if I wasn’t in this prison chained to this Roman guard.” Or “I will be content as soon as Timothy gets here with my coat!” No, he was content in the circumstances he found himself. In fact, he wrote several of his epistles while in that prison!
Horatius Bonar was an old Scottish theologian who lost five of his young children in succession and wrote over 140 hymns, during his life. One of my favorites is this one because I need a constant reminder to be content and that Christ is the Keeper of my life.
Thy Way Not Mine
Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be!
Lead me by Thine own hand,
Choose out the path for me.
Smooth let it be or rough,
It will be still the best;
Winding or straight, it matters not,
Right onward to Thy rest.
I dare not choose my lot;
I would not, if I might;
Choose Thou for me, my God,
So shall I walk aright.
Take Thou my cup, and it
With joy or sorrow fill,
As best to Thee may seem;
Choose Thou my good and ill.
Choose Thou for me my friends,
My sickness or my health;
Choose Thou my cares for me,
My poverty or wealth.
The kingdom that I seek
Is Thine: so, let the way
That leads to it be Thine,
Else I must surely stray.
Not mine, not mine the choice
In things great or small;
Be Thou my Guide, my Strength
My Wisdom, and my All.
What does your contentment gauge read today? Think about it. If you’re struggling and need help, call on the Savior. He’s waiting for you.
Bill Erickson
Devotional Blog 