Contentment, an interesting and relative topic. Come, let us ponder...
What makes one more or less content? Paul writes in Phil 4:12 "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." What is the secret that Paul has learned? The answer might be in Phil 3:8, but for the sake of pondering and thinking, I will continue...
Let's start with the definitions...
Contentment (n): a state of happiness and satisfaction
Content (adj): in a state of peaceful happiness
Is being content a function of external factors or an internal decision that we make make (possibly driven by the feelings/emotions)? I've heard that "life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it" and if that's true, then I'd say we have the power to make the decision. This may be easier said than done...
So when we are not content, what is really going on? Media, society, our neighbors, friend or coworkers are sending the message, "you will be happier if you..." "You can't be happy/satisfied with...". Media is quite direct because they do not want you to be satisfied, but to go out and buy their product or service so you can be happy and satisfied. Others, often send the message unintentionally which further supports the fact that it's our choice how we react/respond to the message. Often we take it at face value and agree, quickly forfeiting our peace and satisfaction. Is it worth it? Did we count the cost? In return we get want, motivation for more, etc. (not a good trade in my opinion). What if we could celebrate and be genuinely happy for them. Be inquisitive and interested not in the vein of learning so you can achieve too, but just out of interest and excitement for your friends happy windfall or experience.
So here's a few questions to ponder and think about...
1) Am I content? Why or why not? What impacts my contentment level? In what areas am content? ln what areas am I not content?
2) Review these areas with the perspectives above. Any changes?
3) How might you change or do things differently going forward.
Disclaimer: Being content, does not mean that you don't give 110% and work hard to achieve goals. Do not use "I'm content" as an excuse for laziness.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
Make Every Effort (Spiritual Growth)
Hello Readers!
I know it's been a long time, so to get started again, I'm going to re-iterate a great sermon I heard recently. This will be a recap and a few nuggets/challenges. If you want the full version, it's available on-line http://www.extendgrace.org/ or you can read 2 Peter 1:1-11 Link to Bible Gateway.
Spiritual Growth
To recap the text, Peter is writing to believers who share "the same precious faith" and the main message is to "make every effort" (vs 5) to grow in our faith. We really have a choice: A) we can grow (progress) or B) we can remain the same. Verses 5-8 describes choice "A" which results in "the more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful..." Verse 9 is the other choice ("B"): "those who fail...are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin." Verses 10-11 recaps "A" and the amazing blessing for choosing "A" (I'll let you read it for yourself ;))
So what's the takeaway? Like so much of life, it's about choices and we reap what we sow, so let's "make every effort".
One potent example is getting fed: How many of us have ever said, "I'm not getting fed" or "I need to get fed"? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we feed babies? Shouldn't we be self-feeding by now? see 1 Cor 3:1-3
So how do we self feed and grow in our faith? The answer is simple (but that does not mean that it is easy): "make every effort". Things that we water, will grow. Are you watering and feeding your growth or are you staying the same? Start with something small, then add to it. Much like an athlete preparing for a marathon who typically starts with a 5K, then maybe a 10K and a half marathon. Like life, this isn't a splash in the pan, but will be hard and take discipline so don't expect it to be easy :) However the reward is priceless (see vs. 8 & 11 above).
Here are some of my favorite verses on "making every effort":
Heb 12:1 - Run with endurance the race God has set before us.
1 Cor 9:24-26 - All athletes are disciplined in their training.
2 Tim 2:4-5 - Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life.
Lastly, I will leave you with this: "OK, I get it, but how exactly do I do it?" That, my friend, is between you and God. The goal is to be walking in step with God, to know His truths for you and how He can use you in your brief life here on earth (see Micah 6:8). My answer to this is to invest time with God (sit & think, pray, read, etc.) and invest time with people (living life, loving one another). Make every effort.
I know it's been a long time, so to get started again, I'm going to re-iterate a great sermon I heard recently. This will be a recap and a few nuggets/challenges. If you want the full version, it's available on-line http://www.extendgrace.org/ or you can read 2 Peter 1:1-11 Link to Bible Gateway.
Spiritual Growth
To recap the text, Peter is writing to believers who share "the same precious faith" and the main message is to "make every effort" (vs 5) to grow in our faith. We really have a choice: A) we can grow (progress) or B) we can remain the same. Verses 5-8 describes choice "A" which results in "the more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful..." Verse 9 is the other choice ("B"): "those who fail...are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin." Verses 10-11 recaps "A" and the amazing blessing for choosing "A" (I'll let you read it for yourself ;))
So what's the takeaway? Like so much of life, it's about choices and we reap what we sow, so let's "make every effort".
One potent example is getting fed: How many of us have ever said, "I'm not getting fed" or "I need to get fed"? Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't we feed babies? Shouldn't we be self-feeding by now? see 1 Cor 3:1-3
So how do we self feed and grow in our faith? The answer is simple (but that does not mean that it is easy): "make every effort". Things that we water, will grow. Are you watering and feeding your growth or are you staying the same? Start with something small, then add to it. Much like an athlete preparing for a marathon who typically starts with a 5K, then maybe a 10K and a half marathon. Like life, this isn't a splash in the pan, but will be hard and take discipline so don't expect it to be easy :) However the reward is priceless (see vs. 8 & 11 above).
Here are some of my favorite verses on "making every effort":
Heb 12:1 - Run with endurance the race God has set before us.
1 Cor 9:24-26 - All athletes are disciplined in their training.
2 Tim 2:4-5 - Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life.
Lastly, I will leave you with this: "OK, I get it, but how exactly do I do it?" That, my friend, is between you and God. The goal is to be walking in step with God, to know His truths for you and how He can use you in your brief life here on earth (see Micah 6:8). My answer to this is to invest time with God (sit & think, pray, read, etc.) and invest time with people (living life, loving one another). Make every effort.
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