What's the definition of contentment? Being satisfied with what you have or where you are. Right? No, there's way more to contenment than just being satisfied. God took me on a journey to experience true contentment.
During my time in China I’ve experienced s lot of situations where I was faced with the challenge: “Can I be content within this situation?” The answer was yes every time. But there’s more truth to the question than just “can I be?” The whole truth is: “Am I willing to be content?”
We were abundantly provided for every single day, including every challenge. It was possible to be content every single day. But I had to make the choice to be content. It’s not something that happens naturally. You have to choose contentment. We’ ve had a lot of challenges to face in China. From small things like the toilets being “squatters” and people spiting anywhere on the street, to bigger things like hiding from the police and sharing the Gospel with people from different backgrounds, beliefs and religions. God made it possible for me to be content during these times. A few days ago the thought of contentment and my whole reason for being here, came to mind. We were on a train traveling back to Macau, a 35 hour journey. I was lying on the floor underneath the seats, just listening to the sounds of the train. Thoughts were just running through my mind, like : “What on earth are you doing here, lying on the train floor in the middle of China?” I realized that if God wasn’t living in me, I would have been far from content – sleeping on a dirty, cold and hard floor with arms and legs that are cramping. But through Jesus’ strength I was able to bear it, and even enjoy the sleep. Especially the humor about it and to see how God works.
In Phil 4:11-13 Paul says: "Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, wether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."
Paul chose contentment through the strength of Christ. He learned how to be content in evry situation. Just as Paul had a secret to living in very condition, God revealed His secret to me. The secret is to look for God's beauty in every situation. Some times it's obvious to see, other times digging deep leads to the wonderful discovery. His beauty awes me everytime, and with that admiration for Him, I'm able to find contentment. Find contenment no matter what the challenge is. God showed me how to look past the dirty, dusty streets and to see the friendliness in the eyes that are following you everywhere. I saw past the dirty faces and past the ice cream smudges and learned how to appreciate the child's shy smile.
Take up the challenge, start digging deep and learn to see God's beauty. Learn to appreciate it and love it more and more each day.
In 1 Timothy 6:6-7 Paul wrote: "Yet true godliness with
contentment is itself great walth. After all, we brought nothing
with us when we came into this world, and we can't
take anything with us when we leave it."
With love,
Elzet
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