Learning to be Content
“I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
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I recently took this picture of my dog Karl on our recent retreat with the youth.
The house we had rented allowed dogs and it just made sense to bring him along with us instead of finding a sitter for him for the weekend trip.
Besides, the youth love Karl, his easy spirit and gentleness.
It had been a log day of packing and travel. I rented a van and drove with the youth up to the North Georgia mountains while Remy followed behind in our SUV with all our cargo and Karl in tow.
After we had arrived and settled in, everyone congregated in the game room, taking turns at the pool table and air hockey. I looked over to see Karl in the middle of everything, smiling his very largest smile.
He was so happy to be there, to be present, to be included. It was precious. Perhaps my favorite thing about Karl is his ability to be totally present, in the moment, whatever we are doing.
Karl didn’t know why we were packing. When we put him in the back of the Honda, he didn’t know where in the world he was going, but he trusted us and was just happy to be along for the ride. He didn’t seem to worry whether I had packed enough dog food for him or if the weather would be good.
Sometimes I wish I had faith in God the way Karl has faith in me.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard Philippians 4:13 grossly misused a time or two. I’ve seen it quoted by athletes after a big win or by friends on social media in celebration of buying a home or getting a promotion. And the out-of-context meaning it is typically assigned is something like this: “With God’s help, I achieved a high level of success.”
Now, I appreciate the sentiment that folks offer thanks to God for the positive outcomes in their lives, however, the point Paul is trying to make is quite a different one.
He’s not just describing God’s goodness in our good times, but in our bad times as well. What would it look like to proclaim God’s goodness when we don’t win? When we don’t get the outcome we want?
Have you ever been so deeply in love with someone that it didn’t matter where you went, or what you did with them, so long as you were together? I think that’s what contentment means to Paul.
Paul has learned that contentment isn’t a matter of circumstances, it’s a matter of perspective. It comes down to being so thankful for God’s love and God’s presence, that the circumstances of life matter a lot less than the fact that God is there with you.
I struggle with this sometimes. I’m a planner. I set goals and work toward them, often with my mind set somewhere two months in the future. When a new possibility comes along, I think through every ramification. I budget for different scenarios. I don’t often feel comfortable with unknowns.
But Paul’s reminder to choose contentment is an invitation to fall in love with God, to be reminded of God’s character, and assured of God’s love for us.
Loving God and reminding ourselves of God’s presence will get us through life’s difficult circumstances. If Paul, who had seen poverty, persecution, and prison throughout his ministry could say such things, how much more can we?
Rev. Kelsey Lewis Vincent
Pastor for Youth & Families