To Be Content

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

Philippians 4:11-13 

What is it to be content?  Why is it that we have to learn to be content? Paul wrote these words from prison, having already endured being abased and abounding. He says he is content to be either to which he adds, ‘to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.’  He contrasts these extremes of experience and declares he has learned to be content in all of them. To be content is to have a settled mind, soul, and spirit which is undisturbed by circumstances, be they good or ill.  It is to be unwaveringly confident in the sovereign plan and purpose of God in spite of where that may take us or into what state that may put us. Because contentment is  not natural to us, we must learn it. Learning for us humans involves some successes and some failures. Thus, contentment is not simply a matter of choice, driven by the power of human will. It is a grace wrought of God in us as we look to Christ and imitate Him. The Holy Spirit must work this in us. He does so in the course of all our life experiences. Thus we realize that to be content is not a one time achievement, but growing in grace. 

Our Good and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that You are our patient teacher. 
We praise You, that as You do teach us, 
we learn to be content. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning