Contentment and Commitment

What do we need to be content?

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you. - 1 Timothy 6:6-21

I often wonder if I would be able to continue to do the work I am doing if I was suddenly unable to do all the things I could do today.

If I lost my sight, for example, or my ability to walk, would those things stop me?

When I was young, I would have answered in the affirmative.  I couldn't imagine losing any of my abilities.  I love writing.  How could I write if I cannot see?

But time and technology make more things possible.  I could always have dictated my thoughts into a machine and had someone transcribe them.  Now the computer can do that for me, and even suggest edits.

So, it is not about whether we can or cannot do something, but how we will do it, given the circumstances of the moment.

Commitment leads to contentment.

If I am committed to a cause or purpose in my life, I am more likely to be content.

The struggles and challenges of getting the job done make the journey all the more exciting and the destination all the more rewarding.

We are not here to be coddled and served, though Jesus did come to show us how to serve one another.  His is an example of our path to our own reward.

We revel in doing what initially seems impossible or at least very challenging.  

So, as Paul instructs Timothy and through him, the church and us, shoulder on with commitment and you will find contentment in doing God's work.

I am learning that is true, and no obstacle is too great to stop us when we are truly committed.

More to come...