Contentment and Hope

A couple of verses from Proverbs today - Proverbs 23:16-18 NIV:

[16] ..."my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
[17] Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
[18] There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

Just a simple meditation...there is in us a desire to hear what is right. We long for truth, we long for justice, we long for understanding. When the Lord speaks into our lives, He brings everything we need.

Some times we look around and we see people whose lives appear perfect, who have things or jobs or cars or houses that we would like. We think how nice it would be to live like that, but we don't see the hidden issues of overwhelming debt, or unhappy relationships, wrong priorities leading to wrong choices, fruitless striving and emptiness. Things don't bring joy, happiness or fulfillment, they really just bring responsibility.

Our purpose and destinies are found in relationship with the Lord, and it is in that place alone that we find true fulfillment, rest, identity and hope. He holds our hope securely, and is waiting for us to turn to Him. Our lives are greatly affected by our attitude and focus. If we are always focused on ourselves, we miss much of what the Lord would have for us. If we are always dissatisfied or longing for more we miss the treasure that surrounds us every day.

I love what Paul writes - Philippians 4:11-13: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] 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. [13] I can do all this through him who gives me strength.".

And to Timothy - 1 Timothy 6:6-10: "But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. [8] But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. [9] Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

So I choose to run after the Lord, to cultivate my relationship with the one who holds my future, my joy and my hope. He will not disappoint my trust in Him.