Being Content and Thankful
Today’s Verses:
Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
A woman at the cancer center, who came with a family member who was there for testing, was on her phone talking rather loudly. It is hard not to overhear one loud voice talking to another loud voice. One was complaining about her DoorDash order that came cold. The other was consoling her over her cold chicken nuggets (OK, I don’t know what she was complaining about but I’ve heard more than one person complain about nuggets being delivered cold). Then she got on the complaining bandwagon - the woman in the waiting room said the phone she just bought is too slow (an Android).
We live in such an amazing time with the ability to order any kind of food and have someone deliver it, and then be whiners for when it gets to you cold. Or that a thousand dollar phone that you just bought is “too slow.” Consumerism. It engulfs us all.
In a consumer society, we get the daily drumbeat of: “You need more.” One more upgrade for your cell phone, one more upgrade for your home, one more upgrade for your wardrobe and life. Saint Paul, writing from prison, draws our attention to the counter-culture reality: we have all we need in Christ.
Paul had experienced the good life and the not-so-good life. He had been rich and poor in both finances and relationships. Paul experienced a “secret” while in prison. It was the secret of contentment that came from not looking to circumstances to bring satisfaction but instead found satisfaction in Christ who never changes. Contentment begets gratitude when we learn to cease asking the question “What else do I need?” and instead ask the question “Lord, thank You for what You have given.”
Such thanksgiving silences the consumer hunger and anchors our souls to the reality that we already have all we will ever need in Christ. We already possess the treasure of salvation in Christ.When we see ourselves in light of the cross of Christ, we can join Paul in saying: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
This includes the doing of desiring less and being thankful for what God has given to us today.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, teach me to be content in You. Guard my heart from the restless desire for more, and open my eyes to see the blessings You have already given. Fill me with gratitude and trust, knowing You are my sufficiency in all things. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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