Time To Talk Contentment
Friends, the time has come to talk about Contentment. It’s a lifestyle we are called to have as Jesus people; yet one that’s often hard to hold onto. And so, this week we begin a 10000minute blog series on the topic.
One of the main complaints in life is being in one place but wishing to be somewhere else, whether that’s physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.
I want that job, wife, kid, career, house…
OR
I don’t want this wound, husband, diagnosis, car, chronic illness, kid…
We say we believe that God knows what’s ultimately best for us and His Kingdom, so where is the disconnect between what we profess to be true and our discontentment? I think a lot of it lies in how we view ourselves.
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage “Bloom where you’re planted.” It’s actually a real Biblical theme. Think of any powerful story in the Bible, and you’ll see this concept interwoven throughout the characters.
With Moses wandering in the wilderness to Paul being shipwrecked and imprisoned, the list goes on to include Jonah, Noah, Nebuchadnezzar, Mary, Jesus and many others.
Through the pain, imperfections (other than Jesus!), remembrance, and struggles in these stories, we see a group of people not necessarily thankful for their actual circumstances, but for the One who holds all things together. Regardless of their exterior surroundings, they lived and flourished where they were.
However for something to “bloom,” particularly as we see it played out in the Bible, it must be attached to something that’s giving it life. This brings us back to Jesus’ analogy in John 15:1,4.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Knowing that we cannot bloom without our Father the Gardener's help is humbling. Godly contentment ultimately brings about humility. My favorite definition of humility is a right view of one’s self. We know that we cannot grow on our own, and so our circumstances do not dictate our attitudes..I know, easier said than done.
How’s your view of yourself? Especially as one who has been planted in some figurative garden, whether you like it or not. Who are you and whose are you? Does your circumstance change that?
We will NEVER be truly content without answering these questions. Our contentment and joy depend on them.
This week, let’s practice blooming where we’re planted with a right view of our selves.
Where are you discontent in life? Write it down and share it with someone. In every circumstance we find ourselves in this week, let’s be mindful of who we are and whose we are!
PS. I’m really excited about this series! Leave a comment, and let us know how it’s going! Jesus lead on…