Contentment I
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.
Philippians 4:11-13
A group of young men returned to their Christian college for their 10 year class reunion. As they gathered to celebrate and to reminisce they talked about the challenges of life and one by one admitted the nagging sense of discontent that they felt with life 10 years out of college. Finally one of them said, “Let’s go talk to Dr. Jones our philosophy professor. He always had great answers to our questions when we were in college.”
The next day the six men invaded their old professor’s office stuffed with books in a corner of the philosophy department. After renewing their friendship and hearing their complains of discontent with life after college, Dr. Jones started pulling out various cups and saucers from his book shelves and gave one to each man. As the professor poured hot chocolate they began to notice that each cup was different. Some of the cups were old and chipped, some of the cups were expensive bone china, and several were plain old Styrofoam.
As they enjoyed their drink Dr. Jones said, “Men, as I gave each of you a different cup I noticed that you looked at one another with a sense of question and comparison, especially those who got the chipped and Styrofoam cups. Although every cup is different, each of you received the exact same content…hot chocolate. Your enjoyment of the hot chocolate ultimately has nothing to do with your cup, even though the cups are of different worth and value. In the same way your contentment in life is not dependent on your cup, your lot in life, but upon the content of your life. If you go through life comparing your cup with others you will be discontent. But, if you look to God to fill your life with His presence and love you will find the key to contentment and peace. Focus on the content and you will be content. Focus on your cup in life and you will be discontent!”
What is your contentment quotient today? Are you a content person or a discontented person? Paul found the secret of contentment even as he sat in a Roman prison awaiting trial and death for preaching the gospel. I believe the secret he discovered is to walk with Jesus one day at a time and to not compare your life (and cup) with others. Jesus said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink, and streams of living water will flow from him” (John 7:37-38).