Contentment

  Today I just wanted to talk a little bit briefly of what I learned over the past weekend, which ties a little bit into the sermon I heard on Sunday evening to conclude the weekend. It was all about contentment and how to be happy in life with what you have. The verse that was spoken was in Phillipians 4: 10-13. It says

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The Apostle Paul lived pretty rough throughout his ministry, being throw in jail, being outcast by higher society of the time, shipwrecked, and evently he met his end in Rome. However, in his letter to the church in Phillipians , he tells the church that despite his hardships over the years he has found peace in Jesus and spreading his word, healing, and building the church made him feel content with what he was doing with his ministry despite how others who were in the upper class of the time might think or perceive of him.

Now, it got me thinking. I don't think we as a society don't stop to think of how content or thankful we may be. We live in a society that pressures as to think that being extremely successful is great and it is good to have more. Yes, working towards success whenever it may be in your job, a sport, or other talents is good and I encourage everyone to work hard towards there goals, but sometimes we giving only a little bit and tend to get to caught up in what we have achieved and attend to want more that is very easy to forget or accepiate the gifts of what you have.

I tend to fall under this as much as everyone. In running I always try to look for ways to become faster. Yet, I know that I am only limited to my talents that are given to me, plus I'm getting older year by year. I'm 29 years old going to be turning the big 3-0 in September so right now you could say these are my peak years. I know I have time to get better yet I remember that I'm only limited as the older I get but it doesn't mean that I shouldn't stop competing nor train hard. Being a competitor is in my DNA.

The same could be same for work. I would like to move up and earn a little more money. That would depend on what positions are available to me, how I measure up to everyone else. I know that I am limited to just getting experience and what I know and who I know. I also feel that I can be content with not being one of the most highest paid employees at DFAS. Besides sometimes making that type of money can lead to headaches and you would have to give a little bit more of your life up. I am content with having a government job, doing my service to my country, but doing it right in order to keep a steady job throughout my life. I know I could be doing something more than I love for a living but sometimes you don't realize how important job security can be especially in this day. So for now I am content with my job.

Something that I tend to struggle with in contentment is relationships. I sometimes feel the pressures of staying single due to seeing friends get engaged, marrried, or them having kids. My parents often joke that my sister's dog, Lilly would probably be the only grandchild they get. I mean its a joke and all but it makes me feel the need to find that one. It's hard to maintain relationships with the opposite sex going in not commited of what each other wants. I think going in you would try to have to much to expect only for that person to be caring and considerate of your feelings as well. Also, patience is the key. God will have a plan for whom we want to be with and that too is learning contentment.

I think overall to conclude, I think it's great that we as people want to strive to get better in whatever we do. Whenever it is work, a talent, a sport, wanting to purchase a new car/home/or other luxury, and be a better person. The key is staying positive, listen to encouragement, don't let negativity get you down, but importantly be appreciative of what you have no matter what. Which is the message of what I tried to get from the sermon and be more dependent on God. That's how we try to be more content. Hopefully this helps.

I'm D-Money and that's my Two Cents!!!