Thought for Saturday, June 23rd

June 23, 2012

Being Happy – Where You Are

I sometimes wonder if being satisfied or content is a lost art in our modern society.

It seems that I encounter people daily who expect more, think they are entitled and basically that no matter where they are or what they have somebody, somewhere owes them better or more or bigger or and on and on.

I’ve heard the days from the past, where people had less and seemingly worked harder, referred to as ‘the good old days’ and I must confess I sometimes wonder if maybe they weren’t.

It seems that the more we have: the more we want there never seems to be a point when we stop and say I am content.  (This is not true of course of every person in the world, but it does depict the mind-set of the vast majority).

The only thing we should probably not be content with is our relationship with the Lord.  We should always desire for it to be better, more intense and deeper.  And I can’t help but think that if our relationship with the Lord was what it should be we would have a lot easier time being content with everything else.

“To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be satisfied with your possessions, but not contented with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor’s except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends and every day of Christ; and to spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit, in God’s presences – these are the little guideposts on the footpath to peace.”

-       Henry Van Dyke

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:11-13

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Hebrews 13:5-6

So how satisfied and content are you?

Today’s Prayer

Father, you’re wonderful beyond description; more amazing than there are words to describe you and your grace, mercy and love are more than I deserve and all that I need.  Help me to draw closer to you and to learn to be satisfied and content.

“My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You, it’s in You

I’ll praise You with all of my life
I’ll praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All my hope is in You “

-  Lyrics from ‘My Life Is In You Lord’ by Daniel Gardner