Contentment #1 — Centered Contentment

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh. One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 4:5-6

Understanding the difference between contentment and complacency is crucial to our joy in Christ. Complacency is presumption masquerading as faith. Contentment is faith remembering the wisdom and power of God. Complacency lacks the passion Jesus commands of his disciples. Contentment is passionately unhurried. Complacency is self-destructive, because the complacent are so pleased with the past that they refuse to move forward. Contentment is self-renewing because the content are so pleased with the present that they eagerly anticipate the future. Contentment is also better than conquest. The only fight the Lord commands us to fight is the fight of faith. It is the only battle which benefits the warrior and the world around us. Trying to gain an advantage over our neighbors is surrendering to the lie that God has neglected to supply all our needs in Christ Jesus. If we pile up riches on earth at the expense of others, the only thing we gain is more to worry about, while we lose our relationship with God and whomever we “defeat.” God has made himself a treasure chest of goodness for us. When we close our hand on God, taking hold of Life Eternal, our fist will be full of rest.

Living Lord, keep me from sliding off the mountain of contentment into the valley of complacency or the chasm of conquest. Close your hand around mine as I hang on to you and your precious promises. Amen.