God has been teaching me a lot about contentment lately.
It started at the beginning of this month while we were still searching for ministry opportunities around La Ceiba. One morning, a bunch of us were roaming the streets of town. I didn’t know why we were doing what we were doing, and it honestly felt like we were just wandering around aimlessly. I was getting frustrated, I didn’t want to be there, and I certainly was not content.
Thankfully, that’s when God gave me a nice little spirit check. The Lord told me I was letting my own sour attitude totally close myself off from all the opportunities in front of me. He reminded me of the abundance of His majesty I would see surrounding me if I would just open my heart to it, choose joy, and give God the reigns. Sure enough, as soon as I refocused my eyes on Jesus, they were opened, and God was able to use me! Throughout that morning I got to share lunch with a sweet mother and daughter and my teammates, feed and love many homeless men, and find some new ministry opportunities. I was truly joyful and content.
After that morning, I was motivated to learn how to be content in any situation. So I turned to Scripture. Paul talks about contentment in his letter to the Philippians:
“…For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11-13
Of all people, I think I’d trust Paul’s wisdom on contentment; he definitely lived out Christ’s promise to us that following Him would bring persecution. And what does Paul say the secret to being content in any and every situation is? Christ! It is through Christ that we may find contentment!
The key to being content in any situation is simply seeking Jesus in every situation. But if you’re anything like me, that’s easier said than done. I’ve found that seeking Jesus is quite synonymous with surrendering control over to Him – another thing God is teaching me to do this month. Well, I love to have control. I’m a control freak. So the Lord brought me to this neat little verse:
“For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” – 1 Corinthians 1:25
Hmm. It’s kind of hard to argue for control when the Lord tells me that His foolishness is still wiser than my wisdom. Well then…it’s honestly pretty awkward that I’ve been insisting on my way all this time. He’s shown me that He knows what’s best, whether I like to believe that all the time or not! If I want what’s best for my life – His best – then I need to say “yes” to Him always! Then I’ll truly be content.
So saying a prayer like, “Jesus, please make the circumstances X, Y, and Z, so I can best serve you in this situation,” as great as it sounds, is not how I find contentment. See, I can’t ever try to get Christ to serve me, hoping He’ll make each situation the way I desire it to be. I live to serve Christ! Instead, I should be saying the simple prayer, “What do you have for me, Jesus?” and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The more I lean on Him, the more I obey Him, and the more I say “Yes!” to Him, the better I’m going to serve Him and the more content I’m going to be in every situation!
I’ve been challenging myself to say “yes” whenever the Spirit prompts me to do something, no matter how big or small, and it’s incredible what the Lord does in my heart through those moments. When I seek Jesus’ will, I’m not just content; I’m so full of joy! It’s funny how God blesses us when we allow Him to use us… So I challenge you to say “yes” too. I’m betting you’ll love the strength you find through Christ.
