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I hope you are doing well and receiving every blessing that God has for
you. I have been thinking about the peace of God in a person's life and
when I came across this story, I thought it would be good for you to read
and receive from. The story shows how being content doesn't have anything
to do with wealth, fame or stature, but it has to do with a peace that
comes from God that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:6-8)
CONTENTMENT IS…
I heard the voice but couldn't see the person. She was on the other side
of the locker, just coming in from her early morning swim. Her voice
sounded like the morning itself-- bright, cheerful, and full of life. At
6:15 in the morning, it would catch anyone's attention. I heard its
affirming tone.
"Delores, I really appreciated the book you picked up for me last week. I
know the library was out of your way. I haven't been able to put the book
down. Solzhenitsyn is a great writer. I'm glad you suggested him to me."
"Good morning, Pat," she greeted another swimmer. For a moment the
melodious voice was silent, then I heard it again. "Have you ever seen
such a gorgeous day? I spied a pair of meadowlarks as I walked over this
morning. Makes you glad you're alive, doesn't it?"
The voice was too good to be true. Who can be that thankful at this time
of the morning? Her voice had a note of refinement to it. Probably some
rich woman who has nothing to do all day but sip tea on her verandah and
read Solzhenitsyn. I suppose I could be cheerful at 6 A.M. if I could
swim and read my way through the day. She probably even owns a cottage in
the north woods.
I rounded the corner toward the showers and came face-to-face with a
youthful voice. She was just packing her gear. Her yellow housekeeping
uniform hung crisp and neat on her fiftyish frame. It was a uniform I'd
seen before-- along with mops, brooms, dust cloths, and buckets. An
employee of the facility at which I swim. She flashed a smile my way,
picked up her plastic K-Mart shopping bag, and hurried out the door,
spreading "Have a glorious day" benedictions as she went.
I still had the yellow uniform on my mind as I swam my laps and sank down
among the foamy lather of the Whirlpool. My two companions were deep in
conversation. At least one of them was. His tired, sad voice told tragic
woes of arthritic knees, a heart aneurysm, sleepless nights, and pain-
filled days.
Nothing was good or right. The water was too hot, the whirlpool jets
weren't strong enough for his stiff knees, and his doctors had been much
too slow in diagnosing his case. With his diamond-studded hand, he wiped
the white suds out of his face. He looked ancient, but I suspected he too
was fiftyish.
The yellow uniform and the diamond-studded ring stood out in striking,
silent contrast, proof to me again that when God says, "Godliness with
contentment is great gain," He really means it. This morning I saw both
contentment and discontentment. I resolved never to forget.
By Ruth Senter
It is really up to us on how we act and see ourselves. We can choose to be
upbeat and encouraged or choose to feel down and defeated. Contentment is a
choice that God freely offers to all who seek, and can find through it a
sense of peace that is not found anywhere else. True peace and happiness
can only come from the Lord. Happiness will never last in a person's life
through material possessions. Sooner or later the same void will return
in that person's life, but the Peace of God is everlasting and worth more
than the greatest of riches the world has to offer. (John 14:27) (Phil. 4:7)
As you continue on with your days, I encourage you to see the good in
every person and every thing. Do not allow the enemy to make you lose
focus and tempt you to murmur and complain about how terrible life is.
Look at each new day as a gift from the Lord and instead of taking the
sunshine and evening breeze for granted; enjoy and appreciate these simple
delights because you never know when they will be your last.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with
such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you
nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not
fear. What can man do to me?"
Romans 12:10-16 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly
love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in
tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs
of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless
and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who
weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high
things, but associate with the humble."
1 Timothy 6:6-11 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after,
they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many
sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever
things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there
is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things."
All scriptures can be found in the New King James Version.
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
