Contentment

Church yesterday was a definite eye opener. It was all about being content. I am not a content person. I have known this about myself for quite awhile, but God really put things in a better perspective for me yesterday. Pastor Todd discussed 1 Timothy 6:2-21. This is mainly about being content with material things, something we all struggle with at times. We can seek contentment with just a little bit more, but this only leads to wanting even more. Given our financial situation I have definitely been learning how to be content with what we have. We don't really have the money for the extra things anymore and I'm actually kind of grateful for that right now. God is teaching us so much through this time! It's actually really cool! Todd made the statement that "Contentment is a present-tense issue. What we have is what God has provided." Being discontent with what we have is like telling God that He is not a good provider. Looking around our house, I see a lot of things we don't really "need." We don't need computers, DVD's, televisions, nice furniture, wall hangings, or even an electric washer and dryer. Yet, God has provided all of this for us. And frankly, that should be good enough. The point is being content with what we have right now, not constantly looking at what we want and don't have.

Todd also talked about the fact that we can still be content right now and still have ambition for the future. In fact, having ambition for the future is necessary. It gives us something to shoot for. It make us want to become better. The goal is to not let your ambitions make you discontent with where you are now. I think that has been my problem. Our calling and our goal is to work in Youth Ministry someday. Mike wants to be a youth pastor and I really want to lead a youth girls small group. That hasn't happened yet and it has been discouraging at times. I know we are not where we want to be and that is frustrating, but it shouldn't keep us from enjoying where we are now. It also shouldn't keep us from serving in other ways at our church where the opportunity to work with the youth is not there right now. God, please help us to be content and take advantage of where we are right now!