Learning to be CONTENT

Philippians 4:6-8, 11b
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Yahweh. And the peace of Yahweh, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Yeshua. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things...
For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am."

Hebrews 13:5b
"...be content with what you have, because Yahweh said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' "



I have found that Christians (including myself) often make the mistake of fearing that discontentment is the result of not hearing from Yahweh. I have heard so many people say "well, maybe this wasn't the Lord's will, because I'm not content/happy/satisfied/whatever other word they choose to utilize". The problem that many don't realize is that contentment is a choice, not a state of being that merely happens as the result of something. Many times we are being put through a test, a refining fire that will purify us and, though it is scalding and uncomfortable as it sears our flesh, in the end we will come out of the blaze to more closely resemble who we were created to be. Our flesh will be melted away to reveal the more beautiful spirit that yearns so much to be like Yahweh.
This test will probe the depths of your heart to find if your desires match those of Yahweh's, to see if you can be trusted in the small things in order to be given more responsiblity.
Many people yearn for something more than where they are at, but until we can be trusted with the mundane, ordinary stepping stones, how can Yahweh trust us with the souls of His beloved creations?

I choose to believe that we are all created for great things, that our purpose here on this earth is more than we could possibly imagine or dream for... yet we are blinded by the fleshly desires, the passions that we have created and convinced ourselves that Yahweh wants us to pursue them. But how often do we seek out His agreement?

I think too often we think ahead to the future and what we need to do to position ourselves in perfect alignment with our future jobs/salaries/spouses/whatever else is included in our "10 year plan", and we miss the "here and now". Our heads are so far in the clouds that we cannot see the souls we are stepping on to obtain our own selfish desires. Burn the 10 year plan! Do not try to plot out your life in perfect little boxes! Allow room for Yahweh to be creative, to bring things into your life you didn't think of. They are like fresh spring breezes, the smell of change on the wind, the unexpected waves of the ocean, the sudden jolts that bring excitement, the supernatural in our otherwise manmade existence. We are not in control of our own lives; so why then do we act like it?

Please do not misunderstand me and think that I am trying to tamp down any dreams one has; quite the opposite. Be a dreamer! But make sure you are not missing out on what Yahweh has for you NOW. Be faithful in all things. Be content in all things. Trust that Yahweh knows what is best for you and has you where you are for a reason.

Be content. You have a purpose.