As moms, we can so often put our hope in well-behaved children, an ironed-out schedule, a better job situation for our husbands, or being caught up with the chores at home. Do these factors seem to affect your sense of contentment? Do you find yourself thinking you'd be content if only your kids responded better to correction or if your bank account allowed for more DIY projects?

It likely comes as no surprise to us that the way of the Cross is countercultural, even counter-intuitive. When the world considers the pursuit of contentment, it prescribes including time for yourself, making enough money for a "comfortable" lifestyle, and putting taking time to enjoy simple indulgences. It rarely makes the suggestion to change your desires, pursue lowlier things, and most definitely never a dying to self.

But that is exactly what Christian contentment is all about:

"A Christian comes to contentment, not so much by way of addition, as by way of subtraction." -Jeremiah Burroughs, 17th century Puritan

Listen to the Apostle Paul's definition:

"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13)

Contentment is a peaceful alignment of the heart to whatever God has given to you.

In this equation, no adding or subtracting of circumstantial comfort dictates the course of contentment for Paul. Instead, it is more of Christ and less of himself that makes the difference in his heart.

So we must ask the question: Are we basing our contentment on the addition of the wrong thing? It is not, as Burroughs says, the acquiring of more time, money, cooperation, energy, friends, help, or even more organization that will help us be more content. All those things will indeed boost and encourage, but ultimately, our contentment will come from NOT trusting in those things for our contentment, but trusting in Christ ALONE. Paul learned the "secret" to contentment because he discovered that he didn't HAVE TO HAVE any particular circumstance, comfort, or condition to be at peace. He needed but Christ's strength and enabling.

What is on your list of must-haves for contentment today? Maybe your list has but a few short things, or perhaps it is long with good desires for health and stability. Today, we can take Paul's example, and CROSS OFF OUR LIST.

All we truly need is Christ.

Blessings,

Ruth Simons

www.gracelaced.com

This post is part of this month's series:

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