Contentment

Was listening to a sermon this morning and the message was just so good. He spoke of the spirit of discontent that is so rampant these days but woven throughout the sermon was the Lord's promise to us: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you.'"

NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU. NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU.

He spoke about the culture of discontent, that people are chasing the very things that leave them feeling discontent.

"If your focus in life is wealth, you will never be content because there will always be someone wealthier."

"If your main focus in life is your looks, you will never be content because there will always be someone more beautiful."

"If your only focus in life is your business, you will never be content because there will always be someone more successful."

I laughed out loud at the example that he gave: "The man who has 6 kids is far more content than the man who has 6 million dollars because the man who has 6 million dollars always wants another million!"

Wow! We must be super content!

Who knew??

*Wink*

When your focus is on the work of God, on Him, you will be content because "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you!"

He also spoke of an ancient Chinese proverb:

"If you want to be contented for one hour, get intoxicated (happy hour - hehe)"

"If you want to be contented for 3 days, get married."

"If you want to be contented for 8 days, kill your pig and eat it."

"If you want to be contented forever, learn to fish!"

Jesus said that for true contentment we need to follow Him and become fishers of men - because...

NEVER WILL HE LEAVE US. NEVER WILL HE FORSAKE US.

I am not always content but the times that I am are the times that I feel the closest to God, regardless of what is happening around me. He is so good and has made the way clear for us to be with Him forever. How tragic that so many will chose to chase contentment here on this earth, this life that is so fleeting, when they could have contentment here and forever. 

Lord, help me to speak of You more often and to show the love of Jesus.