Content

"I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:12-13


I thank God he's blessed me with this secret. I don't know how he taught me or when, and I probably could not put it any better than the author above, but he's blessed me. Any time when all other circumstances tell me I ought to be broken down and beat up, he has given me strength.

But it's never quite that simple is it?

In reflecting on my spiritual growth, I could not help but to notice how content I could be at times. Truly being thankful for what God had blessed me with and serving him without complaint. The thing was, I got caught up in the thankfulness and obedience, and I forgot to ask for more. I filled my prayers with praise, repentance, and requests for others, but rarely for myself. In some sort of twisted humbleness, I chose to avoid "inconveniencing" God and sought after contentment.

I am really starting to think that's not what this passage is about. I am really starting to redefine what I should and should not be content with. Since I ought not to put my desires into things of this world, how could I want more than contentment? This world cannot truly give me "more" nor do I really want the "more" it claims to offer. Contentment then, living in plenty or want of the things of this world, is indeed a virtue.

Contentment with the things of God, however, is living in denial of what God offers us.

Has anyone reached the limits of God's blessings? Has God put a cap on how much he wants to give us? Is Jesus only willing to be our friend up until a point? Is God's influence in our life limited by us or him?

In this case, I don't believe contentment is a virtue. In this case, I pray for holy discontent. I pray that I do not stop asking for more. I pray that I never think I have enough of God. Every offer he's ever made has never been bound by the limits of this world. All the promises and all the gifts, distributed as he sees fit, and but do we really think we can exhaust him of what he desires to give?

God grant me joy at every point of this journey, but may I never be content with how far I have come.