The Secret of Contentment

Content (World English Dictionary definition)
— adj
1.	mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are
2.	assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action...
— vb
3.	to make (oneself or another person) content or satisfied
— n
4.	peace of mind; mental or emotional satisfaction

We all know the declaration of Paul in Philippians 4:11-13, but tonight I am refreshing my memory and asking God to help bring within me an increase in this radical posture of heart...

...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.

I've been contemplating this "secret" of contentment more intentionally over the past week as I prepare to teach briefly on the "gift and calling of singleness" to the missionaries in training at Bethany College of Missions.  I've taken time to reflect on contentment in general as I realize more and more what a testimony it declares of the goodness of God -- that whatever our circumstances, whether married or single, rich or poor, experiencing great success or obscurity... contentment is not only possible, but ought to be a genuine characteristic of those who have encountered the love of Jesus and are being anchored in it.  I'm not convinced I fully pass the "contentment test" in all areas of my life, but I have my heart set to consistently pray for the Holy Spirit to give me grace to grow in it (and that, my friends, is the real secret!).

I want my life to speak of the reality David proclaimed of God in Psalm 16:11...

You make known to me the path of life;
 in your presence there is fullness of joy;
 at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

But, if I am to be honest, the hardest reflection of the night has been this little excerpt below that I came across online (hard because it exposes to me how much room for improvement I have in cultivating deep gratitude in both my heart and speech)...

Steps to Contentment

1. Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even of the weather.
2. Never picture thyself under any circumstances in which thou art not.
3. Never compare thine own lot with that of another.
4. Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was, or is. God Almighty loves thee better and more wisely than thou dost thyself.
5. Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's, not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it. "The Lord will provide."

—Published in G. F. Maine's "A Book of Daily Readings"

Holy Spirit, give us grace to testify of the goodness of God as You enable us to fully trust You, live out true contentment, and overflow with thanksgiving.

In Every High and Every Low I Know You're in Control

On stage (far left) with the BHOP team during this week's
new student orientation for Bethany College of Missions.
I love worshiping the Lord together with this team and these young people!

It's been a week of wonderful highs and challenging lows... at every turn, in my spirit I've heard that whisper from the Lord: "Do you trust me? Do you really believe in Your heart that My leadership is perfect? You can trust Me; I want you to deeply love My leadership even when it hurts."

I went on a long run in the woods this afternoon to take some time to process and seek to get my heart right before Jesus. It was on this run that He reminded me of the gift He has given of having truth sung over my heart for many years, and in joining with others in singing and declaring it in the BHOP prayer room. There's something unique about music that takes words from the head to the heart like nothing else can! Music creates an inner receptivity within me and locks truth in. Then, in times of testing or blessing, highs or lows, these songs come to my lips and remind me of truth... an anchor for my soul. It is a beautiful gift!

As I ran, I said aloud: "Jesus, I do trust Your leadership, even if I don't understand it," and I was immediately reminded of a wonderful song that lifted my heart -- got my eyes fixed on Him rather than the circumstances. I believe it's the kind of song that all of us need cemented in our hearts to remind us to trust and love Him through the highs and lows of life.

"I'll Praise You Now" written by Tim Cone of the International House of Prayer in Kansas City.

When I'm on the mountain I will bow to honor You
When I'm in the valley I'll arise to worship You
Even when the rain comes and when the sun shines through
You'll have all my devotion, You will have the praise You're due

In every season of the soul
When You give and withhold
In every high and every low
I know You're in control

And I'll praise you now and evermore
Lord Your praise shall be upon my lips as long as I endure
You're always good, of this I'm sure
You're the same, You never change
Lord You are faithful and secure

As long as I have lived You have not forsaken me
When my feet had stumbled I did not fall utterly
When I was surrounded, Lord You came and rescued me
I am Your beloved, Oh how You delight in me

Lord with all my heart, I make melody...
I will always sing to You

I rejoice in Your goodness!
Let my whole being worship You...

Stirred to Know the Word

Not long ago, David Sliker came to teach a week-long eschatology (the study of the end times) course to the Bethany college students, so everyone in BHOP sat-in on the classes. We were all on the edge of our seats and getting stirred to know the Word better for ourselves. I loved seeing this hunger in the faces of these young missionaries in training and hearing their desire to live more wholeheartedly for Jesus in response to the teaching.

"God's promise to all believers is that the verses we find most troubling when taken literally, will make sense as we pray, fast, study and spend-time with Him. It is the common sense meaning of the Scriptures that stirs true fascination with God, not someone else's symbolic interpretation of those Scriptures. When we have an intimate connection with the end-time plan of God, the passages begin to come alive and make sense. The possibilities of understanding and knowing God become endless as He moves us beyond our notions of what we think should be into the realm of what He knows can be. When we believe God is big enough to fulfill His prophetic plans as literally as they are described in His Word, He will become to us more awesome, more glorious and more beautiful." - David Sliker, End-Times Simplified