Merriam-Webster defines contentment as the state of feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation. According to Solomon, fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, leads to contentment (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 19:23). Church leaders have tried to define this fear of the Lord that leads to contentment. The say it is a spiritual gift (Isaiah 11:2-3) that fills us with a sovereign respect and love for God, and makes us dread, above all things, offending Him. According to Robert Strimple, it is actually the convergence of awe, reverence, adoration, honor, worship, confidence, thankfulness, love, and fear. This convergence, then, is what leads to contentment in our lives.
So, what’s the point? Well, I received a message from a FB friend the other day. Everything she said was powerful, but a few things that she said disturbed my soul. First, she said that a life whose calling is never fully met is a tragedy. She went on to say, “When you get a fever, your body is communicating that something is not quite right inside. In the same way, I believe, that discontentment is the holy fever given to us by the God who cares deeply about the calling that he has woven into our hearts.”
I’ve been feeling discontent for awhile. I haven’t yet put my finger on what is bothering me. Is it that I’m not satisfied with my possessions, status, or situation, as Webster says? I don’t think that’s it. Is it that I no longer fear the Lord as Solomon says? No. Is it that some aspect of that reverential fear is missing in my relationship with Him? It’s possible, I guess, but I don’t think that is it either. Is it that I’m not fully meeting the call that God has for me? This is more than possible. It’s probable. In fact, it is the most likely answer. Is He creating this discontentment for me to own it, take action against it, and correct it? Yes. Believe me when I tell you I have thought of little else since I received this random message from a virtual friend, yet actual stranger. In fact, since reading her message, I have felt like a whale might just swallow me up so I have a few days alone in its dark belly to think about the path I’m taking.
Now, what will I do with this? I must figure out exactly where this discontentment is stemming from. What is causing it? Why is it there? How can I gain the contentment found in Philippians? What action do I need to take? What do I need to change? I’m turning to God in prayer. I’m asking Him to disturb me more. I’m asking Him to show me what He wants for me and what His calling is for me. I don’t want to waste it. I don’t want to disappoint Him. I want to heed the call so my life won’t be the tragedy that my friend spoke of in her message. I want to see all that God can do that I could never dream to ask of Him.
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves. When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little. When we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord. ~ Sir Francis Drake
1 remarks:
I've been exactly where you are. Not fun. Sometimes the problem is sailing too close to the shore, no real danger or risk. But more times than not is the humility thing rearing its ugly head. Our sense of humility (what we call it) is a very constraining power in our lives. The problem is VISION. What we see that we can do contrasted with God's view is often very different. People saw a shepherd boy, God saw a king. Peter saw just a fisherman and a world class screw-up, Jesus gave him the "keys to the kingdom." People saw a Christian-hater, Jesus saw the most prolific soul-winner in the history or mankind.
To be used by God, is an experience that can move us out of our narrow/shallow self-view into His view. It changes everything. So if you decide to take a look from His point of view, I suggest you fasten your seat belts because it is a wild ride. Your comfort will be gone, and you will never see it again, and you'll be glad it is gone forever. To be used by God! WOW!
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