To be content, or not to be, that is the question...

After going to Nicaragua, I have been plagued with an ever-present thought about whether or not I am truly content.

While in Nicaragua, I read these verses during my quiet time early on in the week. It grasped hold of my heart as I had seen such poverty stricken people living in joy & love just hours before reading this.

The verses are found in Philippians 4:11-13

They say "For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, & I also know how to live in prosperity; in any & every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled & going hungry, both of having abundance & suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

It hit me after many years of knowing the last sentence of scripture, the context that it was written in. Somehow knowing that changed the way I thought about the verse.

I have a very finite mind. But, thanks to God's perfect timing, I really learned the lesson of being content in EVERY circumstance I am. Whether that be true poverty, or in prosperity. And being content I have also learned is finding joy in my God, no matter the life I have been given. No matter the type of living situation I am in. No matter the people that I have brought into or out of my life.

True contentment is being able to praise the Lord in every situation... On command, or not! By choosing to bring glory & praise to my Father always I am building a strong testimony for Him. It is a blessing to Him & others around you when you are content.

So, a hard lesson to learn... Or at least for me. But a lesson I won't quickly forget. It might have taken God taking me to Nicaragua to see that, but He is faithful & loving & patient!

Loving Him & placing my footsteps carefully into His as I walk along this journey we call life, is one way I can please Him. Thankfully I don't have to worry about repaying Him for loving me, because I can't! He paid the ultimate sacrifice for me, puarely because He loves me!

I don't know about you, but that is the only God I want to serve. I count it all joy, my friends!

Is your heart truly content in your situations in life right now? How about yesterday, or 2 months ago, or 10 years ago?

Make the choice to be content & trust Him! He's waiting lovingly & patiently to show you what it means to be His follower.

Blessings to you all today!