Reflections on the Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

I have written a few articles for Associated Content/Yahoo Contributor Network over the past few years. Since Yahoo is shutting down the business entity at the end of the month, I am re-publishing a few pertinent pieces here.

Reflections on the Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (July 2012)

The way to contentment is complete satisfaction in Christ and the things of God. To be mindful of the things of the Kingdom of Heaven and not be consumed by the cares of this world is a daily battle. One must think of 2 Corinthians 10:5 and diligently seek to live this out: "we are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

Contentment involves drawing strength from Christ through afflictions and burdens, and even everyday life. A good, steady temper in the heart produces the fruit of contentment. Depending upon circumstances and "creatures" for contentment is a miserable condition. True Christian contentment involves the stripping away of desires, whether worldly or "godly ambitions." Desires may grow from seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, but Matthew 6:33 must be the chief desire of a man or woman who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. This results in a greater trust in Christ, and obedience - when the love of God becomes your sole desire.

Many times in scripture, God chastises those who murmur against His providence. Since not a sparrow falls dead to the ground apart from His knowledge, it is proper to say that all things are from the hand of God. Ecclesiastes 7:14 says, "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: has God not set one against the other..." Children of Israel in the wilderness did not understand this important lesson. God said to them: "The curses shall pursue you and they shall be on you for a sign, and a wonder, and on your head forever: because you did not serve the Lord you God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things."

The way to contentment is to exercise faith, in not what can be seen, but in God's Holy Word. God is good. In Him there is no shadow or turning. Always make good interpretations of His ways towards you if you love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Crosses and afflictions and repining, as well as sins like pride and coveting can cause a great deal of discontentment. The way to contentment when one meets with any cross is to open the heart to God in prayer, and like His faithful servant David, walk away rejoicing.

A Pensive Walk

I went for a peaceful, pensive hour-long walk in Historic Oakwood Cemetery today.  I have wanted to visit there for a while.  Although many great oak trees were uprooted by the April tornadoes, I still enjoyed the beauty of the hilly landscape.  Oakwood appears to be one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in North Carolina, dating back to 1867 with more than 1,500 graves from the Civil War and about 20,000 graves total.

Seeing the inscription: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will see God," was both sobering and uplifting.  After my life imploded last month, just the thought that I will have the privilege of seeing God in the Last Day brought tears to my eyes.  His mercies are new every morning and his grace is sufficient for me.  [Note: Just realized that the first inscription was actually an amalgamation of Matthew 5:6 & Matthew 5:8]

I came across another tombstone with the last name FREED and "Jesus said: I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." inscribed under it.  What a testimony!

I saw another tombstone engraved with a cross and the name "Liu" in English and Chinese. Flowers were planted round the grave.  Two scriptures came to mind: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus,"  and "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." 

Even if you are not a sports fan, it is impossible to graduate from NC State University without hearing the name of legendary basketball coach, Jimmy Valvano.  I spotted the grave of the late Valvano and was amazed that there was no mention of "NC State" or "championship" or "basketball" on his tombstone, but that he  simply wanted to be remembered as "devoted husband and loving father" who recommends to posterity, "take time every day to laugh, to think, to cry." 

I conclude this post with a moving inscription that I recorded.  It was dedicated to the late John W. Pike (d. 1919) from his wife Etta Pike (d. 1937): "True to His God, pure in heart, a devoted husband, a loving father, a true neighbor.  Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.  Gone but not forgotten, we shall meet again."

"Be faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life."

Scripture references: Matthew 5:6, Matthew 5:8, John 11:25-26, Galatians 3:28, 1 Peter 1:24-25, Revelation 2:10

Awakened: The Disconnect Between Action and Belief

This week, after actual sincere prayers, I have awakened to the disconnect between action and belief in areas of my life.  I desire to marry and be a keeper at home with children through childbirth and/or adoption.  This is a desire I truly did not have as a girl or young woman, and I believe it is God given.  In forsaking the pursuit of yet another degree program this week in an effort to conform to my aforementioned desire, I felt as though I was a failure by the world's standard.  Henceforth, rather than languish in sorrow, I have no choice but to rely upon God's standard of success. 

In meanwhile, I continue to work, hoping to transform my work experience into something that builds on my innate talents and stretches me on a personal level.  In my journal I wrote "there is no turning back, I cannot neglect to let God order my day starting in the early morning."  Really believing Matthew 6:33, following Jesus' example, and experiencing the fruit that it has borne this week is at the root of that statement.

How can God order my day?  Well, besides upholding all things by the Word of his power, it was impressed upon me while I was reading 1 Corinthians 2, that through obedience to the Spirit of God and his revealed will (The Bible) that I can have the mind of Christ.

Other scripture references: Mark 1, Hebrews 1:3

The End of the Matter

Focus on the becoming the woman I want to be (my character) not what I want to achieve and accomplish. I have been focusing on what I want to do, instead of being the person that God has called me to be (which is for the most part, revealed in the Bible).

Hot Coals to the Lips

Lord help me to be not rash with my mouth, and let not my heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and I upon earth: therefore let my words be few.

Pride Dings

Have you ever been in a situation involving another person or group of people where you were left feeling angry, upset, or depressed? I have identified for myself the source of pain associated with those feelings: pride.

"Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee." ~ Ezekiel 28:17

I am committing with the help of the Holy Spirit to see those moments as "pride dings" and get on with life. What a delight it is to cast off oppressive thoughts and walk in love.

Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. ~ Isaiah 26:8

Back to the Basics

I feel that this is a season of being stripped bare. There are so many things I am confronting and grieving over in my heart...anarchy ...arrogance. I have asked the Lord for endurance to stand firm during this time. As a reflect upon the past and think about beginning the 24th year of my life I am yet hopeful. He has already given me far more than I deserve.

The Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation

Sola Scriptura ~ Scripture alone is the standard.

Soli Deo Gloria ~ All for the glory of God alone.

Solo Christo ~ By Christ's work alone we are saved.

Sola Gratia ~ Salvation by grace alone.

Sola Fide ~ Justified by faith alone (a "living" faith, i.e. Hebrews 11).

"'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.'" (John 14:1)