Contentment in Christ
"Jackpot!" That's what our family says when we find a special treasure on the beach. Sometimes we discover a sea shell, a sand dollar, or even a barracuda jaw!
We recently spent some time along Florida's Panhandle. The beaches there are famous for their emerald green waters and sugar white beaches, but not for their shells. So, when we find a special shell, it is truly a gem.
I was wading in the water when I found two of them. One was a conch, the other a smooth, brown shell I have yet to identify. I showed them to my daughter.
"Jackpot!" she yelled, and ran to our beach bag on the dry sand, her eyes wide with excitement. For the remainder of the day, we played in the sand and surf, commenting on our "jackpot." After a long day of enjoying God's Creation, we thanked Him for the unique sea shells He gave us.
Days passed.
We walked on the beach in the mornings, in the afternoons. As we continued to look for shells, we began to wonder if we could find another shell, a bigger shell, something more amazing.
More.
What happened to the joy we felt when we first discovered our unique gifts? What happened to the bedtime prayers we had offered? Were we not truly grateful?
Our problem wasn't lack of gratitude; it was lack of contentment.
God blesses us with something, something big, something small. He may give us the desires of our hearts. (Psalms 37: 4) He does so because He loves us.
We thank Him. We mean it. We really do. But we often become discontent. We want something newer, something bigger, something better.
More.
It is difficult to remain content unless we remain in Him.
The sea shells we discovered on the Florida beach that day are reminders for me. They remind me of the love that God has for me, that He gives us the desires of our hearts, sometimes when we least expect it.
Most of all, these two shells, unique pieces of God's Creation, remind me to be content in all things.
Only in Christ, am I content with all of my "sea shells." The special ones, the big ones, the colorful and plain ones, and even for the broken ones.
1. Have you struggled with contentment?
2. What areas in your life have been a "broken sea shell?"
3. Ask God to fill you with His Joy today! He loves you!
Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."
We recently spent some time along Florida's Panhandle. The beaches there are famous for their emerald green waters and sugar white beaches, but not for their shells. So, when we find a special shell, it is truly a gem.
I was wading in the water when I found two of them. One was a conch, the other a smooth, brown shell I have yet to identify. I showed them to my daughter.
"Jackpot!" she yelled, and ran to our beach bag on the dry sand, her eyes wide with excitement. For the remainder of the day, we played in the sand and surf, commenting on our "jackpot." After a long day of enjoying God's Creation, we thanked Him for the unique sea shells He gave us.
Days passed.
We walked on the beach in the mornings, in the afternoons. As we continued to look for shells, we began to wonder if we could find another shell, a bigger shell, something more amazing.
More.
What happened to the joy we felt when we first discovered our unique gifts? What happened to the bedtime prayers we had offered? Were we not truly grateful?
Our problem wasn't lack of gratitude; it was lack of contentment.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6: 6
God blesses us with something, something big, something small. He may give us the desires of our hearts. (Psalms 37: 4) He does so because He loves us.
We thank Him. We mean it. We really do. But we often become discontent. We want something newer, something bigger, something better.
More.
It is difficult to remain content unless we remain in Him.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full." John 15: 11
The sea shells we discovered on the Florida beach that day are reminders for me. They remind me of the love that God has for me, that He gives us the desires of our hearts, sometimes when we least expect it.
Most of all, these two shells, unique pieces of God's Creation, remind me to be content in all things.
Only in Christ, am I content with all of my "sea shells." The special ones, the big ones, the colorful and plain ones, and even for the broken ones.
1. Have you struggled with contentment?
2. What areas in your life have been a "broken sea shell?"
3. Ask God to fill you with His Joy today! He loves you!
Join Melanie at her personal blogspot, "This Ain't New York."
Labels: contentment, Melanie's Articles, thankfulness
posted by Melanie @ This Ain't New York @ 12:01 AM
7 Comments:
What a fantastic post. It was exactly what I needed to hear and I really think that God led me right to it. Very thought provoking. I think that is true of our Christian lives as well. We become dissatisfied with our churches or our godly lives and we feel the need to look for something bigger and better.
Great post and convicting message. We thank Him and yet always want something bigger, better, newer. He never changes, and is always more than enough when we look to find our contentment in Him.
Such a wonderful post sweetie.
"It's difficult to remain content unless we remain in Him." I have found that to be the key. Contentment is a choice. I often have to be content with not finding any seashells- I always want to find one, but often do not. I dream about the seashells I want to find. But alas, I have an empty bucket. But. I have a bucket!!
This was a wonderful article, Melanie.
Thanks!
Heidi
Thanks for sharing this. So many times when we get what we've prayed for it's only a matter of time we're off praying for something else. To be truly content where ever we are and in what ever circumstance we find ourselves is something we all need to strive for.
A great illustration of contentment. Thank you for your thoughts Melanie!
Always such great, anointed teaching, Melanie. Yes, I've struggled with contentment over and over and over again. You hit the nail on the head with the application.
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