Still searching for contentment? It’s possible for everyone now!
By Dean Collins
When is it that we finally find contentment? Does it happen at a certain age? Maybe it’s at a certain weight? Some think and act as if it comes at a certain income level or possibly at a certain net worth. Maybe when you have enough degrees or titles you can be content. Many seem to base their contentment on their family situation. If the kids are healthy or in the right marriage or have a good job, then we can be content. Lately some have seemed to connect contentment with politics. If the right party or person is elected or seated, then finally we can take a breath and find contentment.
Almost all these possible paths to contentment require a measure of success. Whether we’d admit it or not, our estimate of success often determines our level of contentment.
Spiritual success?
If we’re not careful, this idea of contentment through success sneaks into our spiritual life. Spiritual success might mean some level of status in the church as a leader, pastor, teacher, counselor, or member of the worship team. If others recognize my spiritual value, then I can find contentment. Of course the problem is the Scriptures never measure success that way. When and where do we find wealth or title bringing contentment to the saints of old?
If we could download a podcast interview with the most notable leader in the church today, what would they say about contentment and when they achieved it? I suspect their answers and ours as well would be different than those from the leader of the first-century church. The apostle Paul wrote nearly half of the New Testament. And he started most of the known churches we read about. (Peter was used by God in the great launch of the church in Acts, but eventually the story shifts to Paul and his influence.)
Paul never retired and wrote his memoir full of success stories. But he was a prolific writer. The epistles seem almost like his daily blog. Late In 2 Corinthians Paul takes a couple chapters to explain, even defend, himself against some of the accusations and attacks of those who claimed to be superior apostles. It’s interesting how there are always some who claim to know the inside story or the real truth. Such claims are usually a good indication that you should run when you hear them.
Source of strength
Paul had excellent training and a perfect pedigree. He had launched many churches and was known as a powerful influencer, even among the political leaders. Yet as he wrapped up his brag sheet, he repeated God’s message to him and how he lived in response to it:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Just one chapter earlier Paul explained that he had great anxiety. His anxiety wasn’t about his salary or how others perceived him. The great pressure he felt daily was for the health and well-being of the church. His passion was that the gospel would advance and that the church would be the bride of Christ. A healthy and thriving community of faith was Paul’s concern. He was not worried about himself or his achievements.
Everything he did and wanted was for “the sake of Christ.” He had discovered the richness of God’s grace and was fully aware that real power flowed from the throne of grace through him to others. His influence didn’t come from his looks, his education, or his performance. In the upside down way that God always works, Paul’s contentment came from and through his weaknesses, from insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. He came to embrace what we still tend to avoid; when we are weak, then God shows his strength in us.
Contentment now
The older you get, the more you look for a sense of contentment. Don’t wait till you’re old. Contentment is available at any age when we resign from thinking we can create success through our brilliance. Real contentment and real power both come from the same place. Jesus is our source and our example. Even though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.
When we quit grasping for power, success, and contentment we will find all three. They are waiting for us at the foot of the cross.
Your time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 11:28-31; 12:9, 10, 14-21; Philippians 2:5-11 ESV
Photo by Jordan Whitfield on Unsplash
