Contentment
The follower of the carpenter called Paul tells us, in his letter to the Phillippians
Phil 4:11-13
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on 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. 13For I can do everything through Christ,c who gives me strength.
Ancient followers of Jesus understood long ago the need for Spiritual disciplines to train the body, mind and spirit. These disciplines are now becoming more understood and applied to the generation of Christ followers. Gone is the format of acting in a certain way due to duty or history. Replaced by the call, to comprehend and apply the relationship with the Holy Spirt as He always desires us to.
This call to contentment can only be acted upon if we as followers truly believe this a goal able to be reached. We need to consider the word "contentment" by defintion is achievable. Essentially it is to be at "peace with one's circumstances." Followers of the carpenter look forward to a better place, we call it heaven, a place where the wrong will be made right, where justice is a way of life and sin is forever banished. However, we must not wait until this future time to experience this Kingdom. Comprehension of the person of Jesus allows things of this world to be put into proper place and context, and in this to find contentment. We always seek a better place for all around, but are aware of our place in this scheme and find harmony working in the aspect we are called.
Jesus himself noted, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." At this time in Jesus earthly ministry, bringing redistribution of wealth and justice in this manner was not the primary calling, He had a more important role to play, that of removing the basis for sin in this world through His action on the cross. He left the task of applying this change (now sin has been dealt with, let's make poverty history) to His followers. Jesus was content in His calling, yet I do not believe He was "content" that poverty existed. Which brings us back to Paul.
The Apostle to the Gentiles expresses how he has come to terms with his place. What he can do, and what he cannot. We all need to examine ourselves and "strive" to reach this place. It may seem an oxymoron to "strive for contentment", but the alternative of unguided apathy is worse. If we fail to believe a place can be reached we will never set out on the journey, but if we are willing to accept it is possible, then maybe a bit of effort on our part to get there is what is required.
Phil 4:11-13
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on 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. 13For I can do everything through Christ,c who gives me strength.
Ancient followers of Jesus understood long ago the need for Spiritual disciplines to train the body, mind and spirit. These disciplines are now becoming more understood and applied to the generation of Christ followers. Gone is the format of acting in a certain way due to duty or history. Replaced by the call, to comprehend and apply the relationship with the Holy Spirt as He always desires us to.
This call to contentment can only be acted upon if we as followers truly believe this a goal able to be reached. We need to consider the word "contentment" by defintion is achievable. Essentially it is to be at "peace with one's circumstances." Followers of the carpenter look forward to a better place, we call it heaven, a place where the wrong will be made right, where justice is a way of life and sin is forever banished. However, we must not wait until this future time to experience this Kingdom. Comprehension of the person of Jesus allows things of this world to be put into proper place and context, and in this to find contentment. We always seek a better place for all around, but are aware of our place in this scheme and find harmony working in the aspect we are called.
Jesus himself noted, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." At this time in Jesus earthly ministry, bringing redistribution of wealth and justice in this manner was not the primary calling, He had a more important role to play, that of removing the basis for sin in this world through His action on the cross. He left the task of applying this change (now sin has been dealt with, let's make poverty history) to His followers. Jesus was content in His calling, yet I do not believe He was "content" that poverty existed. Which brings us back to Paul.
The Apostle to the Gentiles expresses how he has come to terms with his place. What he can do, and what he cannot. We all need to examine ourselves and "strive" to reach this place. It may seem an oxymoron to "strive for contentment", but the alternative of unguided apathy is worse. If we fail to believe a place can be reached we will never set out on the journey, but if we are willing to accept it is possible, then maybe a bit of effort on our part to get there is what is required.
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