"Christian Contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit that freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition." ~ Jeremiah Burroughs
As I have walked through the different stages of my life, the Lord has again & again gently reminded me of the need for my heart to always be content. It isn't enough for me to remain at that same contented stage when I was a single woman in Pennsylvania, surrounded by friends & family as compared to now being a wife & homemaker with a sweet husband to serve. My contentment has had to grow & deepen in each new stage of life. I have had to learn the meaning of freely submitting to & delighting in God's wise & fatherly disposal in every condition.
When my heart is content, it is at rest. It is peaceful. I don't want to hurry to the next thing. My thoughts & conversations aren't filled with, "When _____ happens one day," or "When we are finally able to do _____ thing." Not that it is wrong to be excited & hopeful for what the Lord has planned in the future for us, but when my thoughts & words are characterized by that, I know that it is displaying a heart filled with discontent. A good desire is becoming a sinful lust & is filling my life with discontent.
The past months the Lord has been graciously reminding me again of my need to grow in contentment in this stage of life that Nate & I are at. By His grace, I am thankful for the growth & change we have both seen in my heart & I give the Lord all the praise for that!
I love that Jeremiah Burroughs quote & yesterday I was reminded of it again in a message from a sweet friend. The truthful, heart-focused reminder it gave me yet again, made me desire to share it with all of you & take some time over the next weeks to break it down, word-by-word, & share my thoughts on it & ask for yours. I ask for your patience with me, as my schedule doesn't always allow for consistent blogging. I will do my best. :)
Contentment is an area in which I believe we all need to constantly be examining ourselves & seeking to grow. Each step of life, each condition, each change ~ may we be faithful to seek the Lord & ask His help & guidance in transforming our hearts into those that characterize that beautiful Christian Contentment.
"....for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content....I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:11 & 13
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